The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Kerala plays an attacking game against Railways

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Thursday, Dec 27, 2007
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Kerala plays an attacking game against Railways

Special Correspondent

Nagpur: Kerala opted for a bold initiative and reaped ample rewards against Railways in their Ranji Trophy Plate group semifinalhere on Wednesday. In contrast to its inhibited batting display on the opening day, Kerala attacked the Railways bowlers in the first session, Murali Kartik in particular, and posted a competitive 357. In reply Railways was 123 for three at close of play on day two.

With the second new ball in play seamer Harvinder Singh removed P. Prashant and Tinu Yohannan to leave the visitor at a shaky 240 for eight. Then wicketkeeper batsman Vinan Nair (70, 14x4, 1x6) and Sadanandan Anish (55 not out, 7x4, 2x6) took the battle to the rival camp with thundering shots.

Vinan Nair changed the complexion with a flurry of shots on either side of the wicket and was severe on left-arm spinner Kartik who conceded 50 in nine. He and Anish added 63 for the ninth wicket before Santosh Saxena provided the much needed breakthrough.

Rearguard action

Anish provided further substance to the rearguard action with a brilliant undefeated half century with Prashant Chandran for company. Anish reached his 50 lifting Kartik over the extra-cover fence.

Railways faced one over before the lunch break and on resumption lost Amit Pagnis and Siddharth Joshi to an aggressive and superb opening burst from Chandran. Sanjay Bangar and Harshad Rawle offered dead bat defence before Anish, sending down off breaks, won an appeal for leg before against Bangar.

Rawle showed excellent temparement and along with Sanjeeb Sanyal staged a rally that has fetched their team a substantial 82 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket.

The scores: Kerala — 1st innings: M.A. Sebastian c Rawat b Bangar 52, R. Gomez c Sanyal b Saxena 13, S. Cheruvathur c Rawat b Harvinder 26, S. Nair c Sanyal b Bangar 44, R. Prem b Kartik 28, V. Jagadeesh c Pagnis b Kartik 17, P. Prashant b Harvinder 17, V.G. Nair c Pagnis b Saxena 70, T. Yohannan c Rawat b Harvinder 4, S. Anish not out 55, P. Chandran c Rawat b Bangar 8; Extras (b-2, lb-5, nb-11, w-5) 23; Total: (in 122.3 overs) 357.

Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-92, 3-107, 4-161, 5-184, 6-207, 7-222, 8-240, 9-303.

Railways bowling: Harvinder 27-7-99-3, Saxena 18-8-43-2, Bangar 29.3-12-60-3, Sanyal 8-2-35-0, Kartik 32-11-81-2, Sharma 4-1-15-0, Rawale 4-0-17-0.

Railways — 1st innings: S. Joshi lbw b Chandran 9, A. Pagnis c Anish b Chandran 2, S. Bangar lbw b Anish 13, H. Rawle (batting) 44, S. Sanyal (batting) 40; Extras: (lb-13, nb-1, w-1) 15; Total: (for 3 wkts in 56 overs) 123.

Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-20, 3-41.

Kerala bowling: Yohannan 14-3-32-0, Chandran 9-3-13-2, Cheruvathur 12-4-31-0, Gomez 6-2-13-0, Anish 8-3-7-1, Prashanth 3-0-10-0, Nair 4-3-4-0.

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