Tamil Nadu inflict 203 run drubbing on Goa

Tamil Nadu roared to a 203 run thumping of Goa on the final day of their South Zone Ranji Trophy tie at Margao today. Set 315 for victory, the Goans crumbled in the face of a disciplined Tamil Nadu attack led by skipper Sridharan Sriram and Rajat Bhatia. The visitors collected eight points for their toils to go top of the table.

Bhatia struck the early blows, removing wicketkeeper A Bhagwath and Tamil Nadu exiles Satyajit Medappa and Tanvir Jabbar, to have Goa reeling at 42/3. Sriram's left arm spinners then mesmerised the middle order, three wickets falling to him in the space of seven balls, all at the score of 68. The prize victim was rival captain Pravin Amre, bowled for 14.

The remaining four wickets were grabbed by the four other bowlers used. Sriram's fellow tweakers Balaji Rao and Kapoor snapped up one apiece before Mahesh and Kumaran returned to polish off the tail. Kapoor's return catch had accounted for opener V Kolambkar the most obdurate Goan batsman who had grafted for 175 deliveries to compile 48. The next highest was extras with 16, which included five byes when a Bhatia delivery struck the helmet behind the keeper. Goas's effort was terminated at 111 in the 70th over, Sriram's unchanged spell of 8-3-6-3 being the most attractive figures.