Date:06/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110652421800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Yere Goud puts Railways on course

Principal Correspondent

— Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

TURNING IT AROUND: Yere Goud revived Railways’ fortunes with an unbeaten hundred at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday.

BANGALORE: Yere Goud often grimaced in pain, ran his singles gingerly and yet stayed firm. His unbeaten 109 helped Railways roar back in the Ranji Trophy super league Group ‘B’ match against Karnataka at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday.

At close on the third day, Railways was 340 for seven in reply to Karnataka’s 365. With Goud still around, Railways is on course to snatch the first innings lead and the host bowlers will have to do something dramatic to alter the equation. Goud’s knock has so far contained 10 fours and three sixes.

Resuming at 110 for four, Railways cruised through the morning session and skipper Sanjay Bangar’s run-out for 84 was the lone blemish. After Bangar and Goud tided past the opening spells of seamers Vinay Kumar and N.C. Aiyappa who relied on the short-pitched stuff to prise out wickets, the duo eased their shoulders and legs against the spinners. Bangar drove C. Raghu for four and then lofted one over long-on as the off-spinner was forced to opt for a flatter trajectory.

Mix-up

Goud and Bangar largely relied on rotation of strike to keep their 75-run fifth-wicket partnership going with the odd big shot spicing up the proceedings. However, Goud refused a third run off Sunil Joshi even as Bangar kept charging down and Aiyappa’s throw left the Railways’ captain stranded. Perhaps piqued by the needless run-out, Goud clouted Joshi for three sixes before catching some breath while getting medical attention for a muscle spasm.

The 36-year-old Goud buckled down and though his running between the wickets was a bit laboured, he never flagged and stitched a crucial 46-run sixth-wicket partnership with Mahesh Rawat.

Southpaw Raja Ali (52) then partnered Goud in an 109-run seventh-wicket stand that was replete with inside-out drives and cuts against the spinners.

Vinay dismissed Ali off the day’s last delivery but with Goud at the crease and Murali Kartik set to come in, Railways is better placed.

The scores:

Karnataka — 1st innings: 365.

Railways — 1st innings: A. Pagnis lbw b Raghu 28, S. Bangar (run out) 84, Karan lbw b Raghu 0, H. Rawle lbw b Raju 21, S. Sanyal lbw b Joshi 0, Yere Goud (batting) 109, M. Rawat b Raju 11, Raja Ali lbw b Vinay 52; Extras (b-19, lb-6, nb-9, w-1): 35; Total (for seven wkts. in 136 overs): 340.

Fall of wickets: 1-60, 2-60, 3-109, 4-110, 5-185, 6-231, 7-340.

Karnataka bowling: Vinay 21-10-30-1, Aiyappa 11-2-40-0, Raju 42-8-106-2, Joshi 35-14-72-1, Raghu 27-7-67-2.