The second day of the CricInfo Tourney 2000 in New Delhi was interrupted more than once by short, sharp showers. However, the series of stoppages did nothing to disturb the concentration of Anju Jain who made an unbeaten 53 at the top of the innings and saw India C to victory. India B's second successive loss makes it impossible for them to qualify for the final. The match between India A and India C, to be played tomorrow will not be more than a rehearsal of the final.

Batting first, the India B team stung by their loss to India A yesterday made a few changes in their batting order. Star bat Anjum Chopra who batted in the middle order promoted herself and opened alongside Mithali Raj. The pair added 91 runs between them yesterday but were nowhere near as successful today. After getting quite well on to 55 without losing a wicket, Mithali Raj (27) was caught by the fielder in the circle attempting a short arm jab.

The usually steady Kalyani Umbrani followed and did not add too many runs to the total. After making just three, she flashed at a ball from mediumpacer Jhulan Goswami and the catch was easily pouched by wicketkeeper captain Anju Jain. Kavita Roy entered the fray and in the company of the well set Anjum Chopra attempted to put together a partnership. While wickets fell at one end, Anjum Chopra played an uncharacteristically slow innings, using up all of 48 balls before she was dismissed for 12. Playing slightly away from her body, Anjum Chopra gave Jhulan her third scalp as the ball flew off the edge to gully where Hemlatha Kala took a good catch.

Kavita Roy then managed to steady the innings a bit, but it was largely a lone effort on her part. Rumeli Dhar became left arm spinner Neetu David's first victim after hitting one ball to the fence. Rakhee Mehra, in the side in place of Vanitha Viola departed without scoring and India B were looking down the barrel at 86 for 5.

All rounder Sangeetha Kamat then brought new vigour to the innings, dispatching the bowling to the onside fence with some crisp sweeping. She ran her runs hard and was unbeaten on 31 when time ran out and India A had 140/8 on the board. By the rules followed in this tournament, teams are required to finish bowling 50 overs in 180 minutes. In the event that they do not complete the full complement of overs, which is more often than not the case, then they come off the field at the designated time. The team batting second then has to chase the target in the number of overs that has been completed in the stipulated time. Today, India C were looking at a target of 141 in 46 overs. But that was before the rains came down...

After just eight overs of India C's stint at the crease were completed, the skies opened and rain pelted down. Although the rain was nothing near the heavy showers that Delhi is capable of, it was forceful enough to keep the players off the field. Watching the drizzle fall on an uncovered pitch, the players enjoyed a hot cup of tea and had to wait over an hour before they could take the field once more. When play resumed, India A's target was revised to 122 off 40 overs.

Anju Jain opened the batting with the helmet clad Gulshan but the beginning was less than perfect. Seamers Kalyani Umbrani and GS Lakshmi must have been flattered that Gulshan chose to stride out wearing a helmet. On this pitch, which has been played on continuously for the last four days, very few balls got past knee height. Anju Jain capitalised on this. Stroking the ball firmly through the gaps, the India C skipper held one end up in fine fashion. Being fit, Anju Jain made her partners run hard and this paid rich dividends. The India B side tried many bowlers, being unable to settle into any sort of rhythm.

Gulshan fended at a ball well outside off stump from GS Lakshmi and Anjum Chopra at slip dived low and scooped the ball just inches from the ground. Gulshan was replaced by Amrita Shinde who partnered Anju Jain ably. The two were going along efficiently knocking off the runs when a mix up resulted in Amrita Shinde being run out.

Hard hitting Railways batswoman Hemlatha Kala got to the crease and showed immediately that she meant business. Clubbing the ball harder than anyone else she struck the ball crisply in front of the wicket and dabbed the ball deftly behind the wicket. After doing most of the hard work in compiling a compact 24, Hemlata fell chasing a wide delivery from Kalyani.

Arundhati Kirkire joined Anju Jain and the two completed the formalities in good time. Unbeaten on 53, Anju Jain had provided India C with the impetus that it so badly needed. Her innings was the backbone of the India C victory.

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