Chennai: Haryana finished the first day of the Elite `A' Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu on 169 for four at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium here on Saturday.

Blameless spectators who lingered past lunch hour were subjected to that most exquisite of torture techniques, boredom, as the visitor proceeded at a shade under 1.75 runs per over.

Haryana heroically refused to take the easy way out and score a few cheap runs every time potential India prospect V. Yomahesh strayed on to the batsman's pads, although an inability to handle his pace might have played a part.

Indeed, the performances of both sides were so bland they defy sarcasm.

Tamil Nadu decided to leave out R. Naresh and play an extra spinner since the wicket is expected to wear out as the match progresses — last week's game against Andhra was played on the same.

Cautious approach

Haryana chose to bat and began cautiously; it was debutant off-spinner R. Ashwin who produced the breakthrough when he bowled Sumit Sharma for 23.

Sunny Singh lasted six deliveries before left-arm spinner C. Suresh did him in. R. Jesuraj didn't pick up any wickets, but again he showed how bounce could be used to soften up batsmen. Ashwin's second spell consisted of 20 overs bowled on the trot, nine of which were maidens. Yomahesh bowled seven no-balls, but pitched the ball up more consistently and had opener Ankit Rawat caught at gully, late in the afternoon.

Former India under-19 player Rawat compiled a stylish if painfully sedate 67, off 222 deliveries.

Haryana's inability to tuck the ball away into the gaps should have been exploited; any pressure that the batting side experienced was self-inflicted.

The scores:

Haryana: S. Sharma b Ashwin 23, A. Rawat c Sathish b Yomahesh 67, Sunny Singh c Anirudha b Suresh 1, D. Joon c Prasanna b Ashwin 26, Sandeep Singh (batting) 18, M. Rawat (batting) 15; Extras (b-7, lb-5, nb-7) 19. Total (for four wkts. in 97 overs) 169.

Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-53, 3-117, 4-133.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Yomahesh 16-6-28-1; Jesuraj 15-6-27-0; Sathish 5-1-15-0; Ashwin 31-12-46-2; Suresh 24-12-30-1; Badrinath 6-1-11-0.

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