Sport - Cricket

Kerala thrives on Sujith's century

By Our Sports Reporter

KOCHI NOV. 27. Kerala's Sujith Somasunder has probably never had it so good. On Wednesday, the Bangalore-born former India player, who celebrates his 30th birthday next week, enjoyed three lives as he made an unbeaten 165 (311 balls, 2x6, 19x4) on the opening day of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group cricket match against Tripura at the Nehru Stadium here.

With Sujith thriving at such a merry pace, Kerala made a commanding 269 for four in its first innings on Wednesday. Kerala now leads the Plate Group's six-team Pool `A' with five points and a victory in this third league match here could virtually carry it to the semifinals.

Sujith, one of Kerala's two new professional batsmen this season, was dropped just the second ball of the day before he had opened his account and on 39 and later, soon after completing his century. It was Sujith's second century in three games for his new State.

He also figured in two century stands, 102 runs for the second wicket with the host's other professional bat, C.Hemant Kumar (23, 3x4), and another 102 with captain Sunil Oasis (42, 81 balls, 1x6, 2x4). Vice-captain Sreekumar Nair, who slammed a ton in the last match against Saurashtra in Rajkot, made just 10.

Tripura, which is yet to open its account in the group, had messed up nearly a dozen chances in its match against Goa last week and the nightmare seemed to continue here just minutes after the host won the toss.

The scores: Kerala 269 for four in 91 overs (Sujith Somasunder (batting) 165, Sunil Oasis 42) vs. Tripura.

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