Date:14/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/14/stories/2004091407571800.htm

Sport - Cricket

MRF grabs first innings lead

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 13. MRF Chennai, which was struggling at 214 for eight in the 74th over and still 32 runs in arrears, grabbed the vital first innings lead scoring 278 for nine against Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) in the final session of second day of the four-day final of All India Coromandel King Moin-ud-Dowla cricket tournament at Gymkhana Grounds here today.

CAB scored 246 for nine in the first innings as the injured captain Laxmi Ratan Shukla was not in a position to bat.

With medium-pacer Sabir Ali (four for 49) striking telling blows in the post-tea session, MRF slipped from a position of comfort to lose couple of quick wickets. It all began when the well-set southpaw S. Sriram (72, 164 balls, 6 x 4) slashed one from Sanjiv Saniyal to be caught at deep-point and K.S. Vasudev Das (54, 105 balls, 7 x 4) was clueless when a sharp in cutter from Sabir knocked out the off-stump.

Soon, H. Harish was hopelessly run-out trying to respond to the striker's call only to trip and never reach home. Then Murtaza Lodgar had T. Kumaran (3) lbw. Then, it seemed all over as CAB was all set to take the first innings lead. But, T.R. Arasu (19) and M.R. Srinivas (42 not out, 64 balls, 2 x 4, 3 x 6) were involved in a 43-run partnership and virtually denied CAB the lead. Srinivas and Test star Zaheer Khan put on another unbroken 21 run stand in just five balls to help MRF finish the day at 278 for nine in 90 overs.

The scores: CAB 246 for nine in 90 overs vs MRF Chennai 278 for nine in 90 overs (Sridharan Sriram 72, K.S. Vasudev Das 54, M.R. Srinivas 42 not out, Sabir Ali four for 49).