Date:21/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/21/stories/2007122160752000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Andhra takes lead

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra medium-pacer D. Kalyan Krishna accounted for the top order and left-arm spinner G. Shankara Rao had a five-wicket haul and was also on the verge of a hat-trick to force Baroda to follow on, but the host did not go for the kill and was satisfied with three points it got from the drawn Ranji Trophy super league Group ‘B’ cricket match at the ACA-VDCA Stadium here on Thursday.

Baroda was all out for 270 in reply to Andhra’s 469 for nine declared just after lunch on the final day and lost two wickets for 30 runs by the 14th over in the second knock.

But the advantage was not converted into a possible victory.

Baroda captain Connors Williams (53, 132b, 6x4) and Rakesh Solanki (52, 82b,8x4) came up with half-centuries again and were involved in a 96-run unbeaten stand. The match was called off with four mandatory overs remaining.

Andhra gained three points and Baroda one to take their respective totals to 12 and 18. Andhra plays Bengal and Baroda takes on Orissa in their last round of matches.

Earlier in the day, Satrunjay Gaekwad (91, 86b, 7x4, 1x6) saved Baroda from a complete collapse in its first knock after it resumed at 136 for two.

Quick blows

Kalyan Krishna struck quick blows accounting for overnight batsmen Williams (268b, 77, 7x4) in the very first over with the new ball and Solanki (55, 229b, 8x4) soon after. Both were involved in a 139-run stand.

Shankara Rao claimed his first wicket, that of Pinal Shah and ended the 75-run stand for the fifth wicket with Gaekwad and leg-spinner M. Suresh removed Yousuf Pathan for three.

Shankara Rao then wrapped up the Baroda innings soon after lunch. While Andhra coach Abid Ali was not happy with the team for not going for a win, captain M.S.K. Prasad contended that the team did press for a win, but as there was no further success even after 30 overs were completed and with the umpires having the option to call off the match after 37 overs, he decided that there was no point in trying.

If Andhra wins outright against Bengal then it has a good chance of making it to the knock-out semifinals.

The scores:

Andhra — 1st innings: 469 for nine decl.

Baroda — 1st innings: S. Parab c Watekar b Kalyan 0, C. Williams c Pradeep b Kalyan 77, A. Bilakhia c Suresh b Kalyan 0, R. Solanki c Sumanth b Kalyan 55, S. Gaekwad c Pradeep b Shankara Rao 91, P. Shah c Kalyan b Shankara Rao 30, Y. Pathan b Suresh 3, R. Powar c Watekar b Shankara Rao 0, S. Vhora b Shankara Rao 0, H. Ali lbw b Shankara Rao 2, Sunit Singh (not out) 0, Extras (lb-3, nb-5, w-4): 12; Total (in 115.2 overs): 270.

Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-3, 3-142, 4-169, 5-244, 6-251, 7-252, 8-252, 9-269.

Andhra bowling: Kalyan Krishna 28-8-69-4, Shankara Rao 19.2-4-50-5, Vijay 18-11-31-0, Watekar 31-7-72-0, Suresh 9-2-20-1, A.S.K. Varma 6-1-16-0, Gnaneswara Rao 4-1-9-0.

Baroda — 2nd innings: C. Williams (batting) 53, S. Parab c M.S.K. Prasad b Kalyan 3, A. Bilakhia lbw b Suresh 12, R. Solanki (batting) 52, Extras (b-1, lb-4, nb-1): 6; Total (for two wkts. in 43 overs): 126.

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-30.

Andhra bowling: Kalyan Krishna 5-2-6-1, Vijay 11-3-22-0, Suresh 11-1-33-1, Prasad Reddy 1-0-1-0, Sumanth 3-0-14-0, Pradeep 2-1-6-0, Shankara Rao 4-1-16-0, A.S.K. Varma 4-1-9-0, M.S.K. Prasad 2-0-14-0.