PANJIM: Sharmila Naik performed excellent in batting and bowling as Goa women defeated AIIB by 31 runs in the final to emerge champions at the 29th Senior National Tennis Ball Cricket Championship played, at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday.
Goa batting first scored 81 runs losing a wicket in eight overs. Sharmila was unbeaten on 50 in 26 balls, Preeti scored 15 while Neha 12.
In reply, AIIB managed to get 50 runs losing six wickets. For Goa, Sharmila also bowled too good as she claimed three wickets giving out 11 runs. Madhu 1/9,
Neha 1/17 and Saisha 1/13 were the other wicket takers. Sharmila was adjudged best bowler of the championship and best batswomen of the final.
Meanwhile, Goa men lost by10 runs against Uttar Pradesh to bag the third place. Uttar Pradesh won the toss and elected to bat scoring 62 runs losing two wickets in eight overs.
In their reply, Goa managed to score 52 runs losing six wickets. Rohit Kalmankar 12, Chitra Kotkeny 14 and Chandan Dongrekar 8 scored.
SAG Executive Director V.M. Prabhudessai congratulated the winning teams saying, a perfect day to celebrate Christmas. We are happy and joyful after hearing the news of victory.
The Goa Tennis Ball Cricket Association President Kanta Naik and Secretary Ropesh Naik also congratulated. Haresh Parsekar and Ajinkya Naik were the coaches while Sachin Sukhatankar manager.
They were delighted to get gold and bronze for State just before the end of year 2018. “The hard work and dedication of players paved off,” said the coaches.
“The energy put on by the players in the coaching camp at Campal ground, Panjim also help them.”
The victorious teams will reach Goa on December 27. The Goa women team qualified to take Rs15,000 per player as prize money whereas men team Rs 7,000 per player as per scheme of SAG.
