The Hindu : Sport : Hundred in 100th game for Sharath

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Monday, Dec 18, 2006
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Hundred in 100th game for Sharath

Special Correspondent

Prasanna and skipper Sathish provide the southpaw good support

DOUBLE DELIGHT: It was a memorable 100th outing for S. Sharath. — File Photo: R. Ragu

Rajkot: Sridharan Sharath made his century of appearances for Tamil Nadu noteworthy with an unbeaten century against Saurashtra on a splendid afternoon at the Madhavrao Scindia stadium here on Sunday.

Having played for 15 summers for the State team, Sharath brought to bear all the steadfast qualities that have made him the batting mainstay. The left-hander, not known to cause a flurry in the middle, showed a typical steely resolve for a little over five hours in the course of which Tamil Nadu stretched the gains of the day to 293 for the loss of the openers M. Vijay and S. Anirudha, and R. Prasanna in its Ranji Trophy Group `A' Super League contest.

Nice gesture

As a mark of respect and appreciation of a senior cricketer's outstanding contribution, his colleagues, led by coach W.V. Raman, lined up on either side, each one raising a bat, to honour Sharath as he approached the steps to the dressing room.

The indomitable Sharath gave vent to his emotions after hooking trundler Kanaiya Vaghela imperiously for a six that took him from 97 to 103.

Earlier, the Tamil Nadu openers, Vijay and Anirudha, had left by the 11th over. Vijay looked keen and eager to hit forcing shots on the off-side while Anirudha began to time his square and cover drives after a couple of streaky shots.

Left-arm seamer Sandeep Joganputra, one of Saurashtra's chief weapons, dismissed the openers, although Vijay stood his ground to convey his displeasure at the decision. Joganputra, who hit the deck while bowling a handful of short balls and bouncers, was the only one who troubled the Tamil Nadu batsmen. The rest simply did not look like breaching the defence of the batsmen on a lovely batting track.

Crucial stand

Sharath and Prasanna raised 160 runs for the third wicket during a crucial phase on the opening day after the visitor had won the toss, elected to bat, and was without S. Badrinath in the team sheet.

Prasanna (89, 255m, 201b, 10x4, 2x6) was dismissed when he stepped out and hit off-spinner Kamlesh Makwana, and his stinging shot was taken by Ravinder Jadeja at midwicket.

In Badrinath's absence, R. Sathish, who led the side, played a gem of a knock, easily the most attractive of the day. The fourth-wicket pair of Sharath (103 batting, 307m, 240b, 14x4, 1x6) and Sathish (51 batting, 52b, 8x4) has already raised 72 runs and the left-right combination would look to score a lot more on the morrow.

The scores:

Tamil Nadu — 1st innings: S. Anirudha lbw b Joganputra 28, M. Vijay c Jogiyani b Joganputra 18, R. Prasanna c Jadeja b Makwana 89, S. Sharath (batting) 103, R. Sathish (batting) 51; Extras (lb-1, nb-3): 4; Total (for three wkts. in 90 overs) 293.

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-61, 3-221.

Saurashtra bowling: Joganputra 20-5-66-2, Maniar 7-1-43-0, Dhruv 19-7-65-0, Vaghela 7-2-18-0, Makwana 33-11-74-1, Jadeja 4-0-26-0.

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