NZ defeats SZ by 33 runs; Sarla Devi takes 2 crucial wkts

Excelsior Sports Correspondent

JAMMU, Jan 30: Representing North Zone talented left-arm medium pacer Sarla Devi displayed extraordinary bowling skill and took 2 crucial wickets to help North Zone script a 33-run win over formidable South Zone in a high scoring match of Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal One-Day Trophy at GFSC Cricket Ground Vadodara today.
Chasing a huge total of 285 runs, South Zone batters Arundathi Reddy (82) and Shabnam (36) were going great guns and their side needed 34 runs in last 24 balls when Sarla struck twice in her 7th over removing dangerous looking Arundathi on the second and Shabnam on the fourth ball of the same over, thus North Zone won the match by 33 runs.
Arundathi Reddy top scored with 82 runs off 89 balls, studded with 10 fours and one six, while V Sneha Deepthi scored 49 runs off 56 balls studded with 6 fours and one six and Shabnam contributed 36 runs off 49 balls studded with 5 fours and one six. Shrey also contributed 23 runs off 26 balls with 4 fours.
For North Zone, Sarla Devi, Amanjot Kaur, Mannat Kashyap, Priya Mishra and Shafali Verma bagged 2 wickets each. Earlier, North Zone skipper Shafali Verma won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first, North Zone scored a big total of 285 runs in the stipulated 50 overs, losing 7 wickets in the process.
Tanisha Ohlan top scored with 97 runs off 88 balls, studded with 11 fours and one six, while Shafali Verma contributed 64 runs off 59 balls with 7 fours and 3 sixes. Sushma B Verma (34), Shweta Sehrawat (24) and Amanjot Kaur (23) were the other major contributors. For South Zone, Taranum Pathan took 3 wickets while Arundathi Reddy bagged 2 wickets. SR Patil and Sahana S Pawar claimed one wicket each.
It is pertinent to mention here that two players of Jammu and Kashmir namely Sarla Devi and Chitra Singh Jamwal have made it to the North Zone squad after performing exceptionally well in Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy recently.