WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2024
Team Herald
PORVORIM: Skipper Darshan Misal continued his superb form as his seven-wicket haul helped Alcon MCC bowl out Dempo Cricket Club cheaply on the opening day of the final of Goa Cricket Association's Goa Premier League at GCA ground, here, today.
Dempo would be disappointed from their first innings total of 157 as they were shot out in 53.5 overs after having won the toss and opted to bat. Alcon MCC would be happy with their exploits with the ball, but they lost half their side reaching 135/5 at Stumps on Day 1, still 22 runs behind Dempo, who are all set for a fightback.
Once again, wickets have gone down in a big number at the venue, keeping with the trend seen throughout this season.
Alcon MCC captain Darshan Misal spun a web around the Dempo batters, some of whom also were guilty of bad shot selection in the face of turning deliveries off a dry track in the summer heat. Bowling beautifully as he has done throughout the season, the experienced Goa Ranji Trophy skipper and left-arm orthodox spinner Darshan tore through Dempo innings, picking up 7 wickets giving away just 46 runs. Keith Pinto and Vedant Naik took two and one wicket respectively.
Darshan sent the top half of Dempo side back to the pavillion by the time, and the batting team stuttered to a total of 46. There was a slight recovery for Dempo as the lower order batters led by Deep Kasvankar at No 9, put up some resistance. Deep, who scored 50 off 78 balls including five boundaries in his knock, combined with captain Lakshay Garg (23) for a 59-run partnership for the eighth wicket. In-form all-rounder Vikas Singh chipped in with 22 runs.
Alcon MCC also found the going a tough task as they lost early wickets with spinner Vikas Singh trapping experienced opener Sumiran Amonkar leg before wicket at the team score of eight. Rohan Bogati removed the other opener Prathamesh Gawas (10).
The middle-order batters of MCC got off to decent starts but after getting set, Shourya Jaglan (37) and Shaantanu Nevagi (20) departed in quick succession as Dempo made inroads into the opponents' batting line-up before the end of day's play. Wicketkeeper Piyush Yadav is unbeaten on 38 and giving him company is captain and experienced all-rounder Darshan Misal on 12. Alcon MCC is only 22 runs behind their opponents' first-innings total.
Dempo bowlers Vikas Singh and Rohan Bogati took two wickets each while Yash Porob picked one wicket.
