Maharashtra stun Mumbai by one wicket; Baroda beat Saurashtra

Mumbai, Feb 16 (UNI) Maharashtra's pace bowler Anupam Sanclecha proved to be a match-winner with the bat as his unbeaten 34 took the visitors to one-wicket victory over arch rivals Mumbai in the West Zone Ranji Trophy one-day tournament at the Wankhede stadium here today.

Maharashtra, chasing a target of 244 to win in 50 overs, made 245 for nine with 7 balls to spare in a thriller to go to the top of the table. With the win, Maharashtra have earned 14 points in three matches, while Mumbai who finished their matches remained on 13 points from four matches.

Mumbai, batting first on winning the toss, were guided by another superb knock from youngster Rohit Sharma who made 59 from 63 balls to take the hosts near the 250 mark. He was well supported by another youngster P Naik, who made 58 in 72 balls which included four boundaries and two towering sixers, as Mumbai reached 243 for nine in their 50 overs.

Maharashtra got off to a flyer with opener P de Shetty (49) going after the Mumbai bowling, as he along with his partner put on 28 runs in just 4.2 overs to set the tone of the innings.

Mumbai, however, pulled things back with wickets of Motwani and Hrishikesh Kanitkar for 26 and then the important one of S Sriram also for 26 with Rajesh Verma catching the southpaw short of his crease with a direct hit.

Maharashtra were kept in the game by good knocks from A Raut (31) and S Bahutule with 28 before Sanclecha, whose bowling spell of 2 for 55 turned him into the hero for his team. It was accompanied by unbeaten 34 runs, inclusive of five boundaries.

In the other West Zone match played at the Brabourne stadium today, Baroda managed to defeat Saurashtra but without a bonus point, thus dashing their hopes of winning the West Zone title.

Having set a target of 222 for victory by Saurashtra, Baroda made 222 losing six wickets in the process in just 45.2 overs thus getting 4 points to take their tally to 8 from 3 matches, while Saurashtra reamined on -2 from three matches.

Electing to bat first, Saurashtra veteran Sitanshu Kotak struck an authorative 53 of 97 balls with four boundaries to help his team cross the 200 mark, before being bowled out for 221 in 49.5 overs.

Ramesh Pawar with three for 38 was the main tormentor of the Saurashtra batsmen.

Chasing a victory target of 222, all the Baroda batsmen chipped in with useful knocks. Connor Williams with 55 was the top scorer, while Pinal Shah with 49 also contributed substantially towards the total.

Brief scores: Mumbai 243 for nine in 50 overs (Rohit Sharma 59, P Naik 58, Sairaj Bahutule Bahutule 2-26, S Mundhe 2-47) lost to Maharashtra 245 for nine in 48.5 overs (P de Shetty 49, A Sanclecha 34 not out, A Raut 31, N Kulkarni 2-33, R Sharma 2-38).

Saurashtra 221 all out in 49.5 (S Kotak 53, C Pathak 33, R Pawar 3-38) lost to Baroda by four wickets 222 for six in 45.2 overs (C Williams 55, Pinal Shah 49, S Jobanputra 2-45, K Makvana 2-43).

UNI