Date:21/01/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/01/21/stories/2003012101852200.htm

Sport - Cricket

Khurasia frustrates Kerala

By Our Sports Reporter

KOCHI JAN. 20. The ease with which he executed the big shots and found the gaps made a mockery of the stubborn defending one had seen for a major part of this match. Now, captain Amay Khurasia appears to be Madhya Pradesh's last big hope in its Ranji Trophy Plate Group cricket semifinal against Kerala at the Nehru Stadium here.

When fast bowler Tinu Yohannan (two for 17) and spinner Sreekumar Nair (two for 49) sent back the top three Madhya Pradesh batsmen in a twelve-minute magical spell this afternoon, Kerala must have expected a quick victory and a deserving berth in next season's Elite Group.

For, Madhya Pradesh, chasing 230 for a win, was wobbling at 26 for three at that stage. But the left-handed Khurasia, a former India player, frustrated the host after that, belting an unbeaten 74 (off 87 balls) which included seven fours and a six.

Madhya Pradesh finished the third day at 126 for five, needing 104 runs for a victory with two full days to do the job with Khurasia waging a lone battle for his side.

Kerala, overnight 78 for five, was served well by the seasoned M. Suresh Kumar (58, 111b, 8x4) and K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan (28, 2x4) who added 62-runs for the eighth wicket.

And despite M.P. leg-spinner Narendra Hirwani's fine four-wicket effort, Kerala made 185 in its second innings for an overall lead of 229 which appeared solid till the defiant Khurasia took over the stage.

The scores: Kerala 156 and 185 in 81.4 overs (Sunil Oasis 33, M. Suresh Kumar 58, K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan 28, Sanjay Pandey three for 42, Narendra Hirwani four for 58) v Madhya Pradesh 112 and 126 for five in 42 overs (Amay Khurasia (batting) 74).