MCA President's XI clinch lead

MCA President's XI clinch lead
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

MUMBAI, APRIL 27: The three-day fixture against visiting Kenya XI is turning out to be a good learning experience for the MCA President's XI. The young home side which made a late fightback while batting was served superbly by its bowlers as well on the second day at the Wankhede Stadium, here, on Thursday.

Declaring its first innings at the overnight total of 179 for 9, MCA President's XI clinched a slender 26-run lead bowling out Kenya XI for lowly 153 off 59.4 overs. Off-spinner Shreyas Khanolkar excelled picking up three wickets while left-arm medium pacer Sandeep Dahad claimed two to add to his batting performance on day one.

The hosts made a quick 70 but lost two wickets in the second innings taking the overall lead to 96. Left-hand batsman and skipper Kiran Powar scored a breezy 32 (25 balls) striking five fours and a big six over long-on off Thomas Odoyo but was run-out just before stumps going for a non-existant single at covers.

Experienced Ravindu Shah was the highest run-getter for Kenya XI making 37 (105m, 63b) with the help of eight well-struck boundaries. Besides Shah only Jimmy Kamande (20, 2x4) and Tony Suji (19, 2x4) could do well as the others struggled.

Manager Hiralal Shah attributed the poor showing of the Kenyans to the hot weather. ``We would not like to expose our players to this heat,'' he said. ``It's a friendly fixture and we want the boys to get used to playing three-day games more than anything else.'' Shah, however, praised the young home team which he said showed good temperament.

Brief Scores: MCA President's XI: 1st Inns 179 for 9 decl (Sandeep Dahad 65 n.o., Abhijit Shetye 31, Martin Suji 3 for 26, Thomas Odoyo 3 for 53). 2nd Inns: 70 for 2 off 20 overs (Kiran Powar 32, Praful Dhule batting 22, Martin Suji 1 for 24).