Flighty ton by batman Robin

FEBRUARY 18: A Robin flew away with all the honours at the Elf-Vengsarkar Cricket Academy ground, Oval Maidan today. Robin Morris whacked...

FEBRUARY 18: A Robin flew away with all the honours at the Elf-Vengsarkar Cricket Academy ground, Oval Maidan today. Robin Morris whacked a 66-ball hundred, laden with eight boundaries and as many sixes, as Sun-Grace Mafatlal moved to a respectable total on the opening day of the three-day Mahindra Shield final against Elf Lubricants here.

The 22-year-old Morris strode onto the field with Sun-Grace tottering at 76 for five wickets after being put into bat. The young all-rounder simply waded into the rival attack, smashing three sixes each of medium-pacer Paras Mhambrey and leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule and two of off-spinner Mazhar Ghadially. He was also involved in the most fruitful association of the innings 78 runs off 13 overs for the seventh wicket with Kunal More 22.

In fact, More was the second highest scorer which highlights Morris8217; dominance. Sun-Grace were bowled out for 233 but found their tally swell to 262 as Elf were penalised for falling short of the over-rate by four overs.

Bahutule3-59 and Ghadially 3-59 shared the spoils for Elf.

Morris, who represents Orissa in the National Cricket Championships, has turned out for Mumbai too in Wills Trophy matches. However, selectorial inconsistencies found him on the sidelines quite often which weaned him away from his hometown for greener pastures. He has been performing creditably for his adopted state and has been a regular member of East Zone since the past two seasons. He was quick to point to the experience gained during the period for his new-found confidence. 8220;After playing matches at the national level, I am definitely more confident while playing in the local circuit,8221; he opined.

However, Morris8217; couldn8217;t do much with the ball as Elf openers Amol Rane 33 and Sachin Sawant 9 negotiated the 16 overs without any damage compiling 58 runs. An erratic left-arm medium-pacer Zaheer Khan, who bowled 12 no-balls, did little to aid Sun-Grace8217;s cause.

Brief Scores: Sun-Grace Mafatlal 233 in 63.3 overs plus 29 penalty runsRobin Morris 100; Mazhar Ghadially 3-73, Sairaj Bahutule 3-59 vs Elf Lubricants 58-0 in 16 overs Amol Rane batting 33, Sachin Sawant batting 9

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Siyaram win
Siyaram Podar won the Times Shield D Division cricket tournament beating Central Railway Mumbai Division by 44 runs on the final day at Parsee Gymkhana on Thursday.

The railwaymen, set to score 366 for a win, were all out for 322. After losing four wickets for 52, the fifth wicket pair of Swapnil Penkar 43 and Amol Ghag added 55. Thereafter, Ghag and Yeshwant Gawad 44 put on 76 runs for the sixth wicket before MV Girish 49 joined Ghag to add 85 for the seventh.

Ghag8217;s 106 went in vain as Tushar Zaveri 5-88 and Siyaram wrapped up the innings.

Brief scores: Siyaram Podar 169 and 364 A Shah 65, R Pagdare 121, P Shetty 75, Yeshwant Gawad 6-74 bt Central Railway Mumbai Division 158 and 322 Swapnil Penkar 43, Amol Ghag 106, Yeshwant Gawad 44, MV Girish 49; Tushar Zaveri 5-88, R Pagdare 2-100.