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| Indian Express - Apr 12, 2001 |
| Rovers retain the Palayampatti Shield |
| Vasu strikes as Rovers retain trophy |
| Express News Service Chennai, April 11 |
| Jolly Rovers extended their lease on the Palayampatti Shield, a symbol of supremacy in the MAC-TNCA first division league when they elbowed out Globe Trotters in the final at MA Chidambaram Stadium here on Wednesday. |
| Both teams fought well, but Rovers prevailed by 35 runs in their first innings to clinch the issue. The play on the final day was delayed by 94 minutes and stretched for 60 minutes resulting in a revised target of 318 in 85 overs with a run rate of 3.74. |
| Globe Trotters, resuming at 17 for no loss, folded up at 282 in 75.3 overs. |
| On the D-day, Rovers captain Diwakar Vasu turned the star performer taking five wickets to place the lid on the opponents. However, he was candid in saying. “It was a team work which enabled us to flourish. My team-mates showed solidarity. It is nice to retain trophy,” said the senior officer with Chemplast, who are the sponsors of the team. |
| The versatile Vasu, who bagged 37 wickets this season, was all praise for S Badrinath, who has been on a song this season scoring 859 runs and left-arm spinner R Ramkumar who gathered 56 wickets. |
| “Ramkumar should be considered for the State team. He has the potential,” he said. |
| Rovers coach Abdul Jabbar said: “It was a fantastic game. Our boys kept the nerves to emerge as the winners. The efforts of spinners went a long way to help the team romp home.” |
| Former captain of Globe Trotters WV Raman put it as “It was a fine battle.” |
| Rovers wicketkeeper TR Arasu was as alert as a panther involving in four dismissals – a stumping (Senthilnathan), run out (T Kumaran) and two catches (Aashish and Badani) – in that order. |
| While chasing the target, S Sriram (48, 96b 4x4), Tanveer Jabbar (36, 67b, 4x4), Hemang K Badani (62) and skipper M Senthilnathan (43) raised some hopes but in vain. |
| The presence of Senthilnathan, who has a penchant for whacking the ball hard and the dependable Badani caused some anxiety to the opposition. Senthilnathan brandished his bat and rotated the strike. Both featured in a sixth wicket stand of 53 runs coming off in 8.5 overs in which Senthilnathan made 43 off 39 deliveries with six fours. But he was foxed by off-spinner SR Ganesh Kumar to be stumped by Arasu. It was a blow to Globe Trotters who were left at 239 for 6. Ganesh Kumar could have got some wickets but for dropped catches. |
| Earlier, overnight batsman Y Venugopala Rao and Sriram added 65 runs for the second wicket while the fifth wicket association between Tanveer Jabbar and Badani was worth 77 runs in 29.4 overs. Left-arm spinner Ramkishen bagged the prize wicket of Sriram to cheer the Rovers camp. |
| Ramkumar removed Venugopala Rao for 23 and Rajat Bhatia (5). |
| Besides Aashish’s wickets, Vasu scalped Badani, Tanveer, Gautham and Tanzeer Jabbar. |
| Scores: |
| Jolly Rovers 336 drew Globe trotters 282 in 75.2 overs (Y Venugopala Rao 23, S Sriram 48, Tanveer Jabbar 36, M Senthilnathan 43, D Vasu 5-77, R Ramkumar 2-53). |
| (Target was revised to 318 in 85 overs due to delay in play). |
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