Chennai, Oct 13 (UNI) Heavy rains ruled out any play after tea and interrupted
Tamil Nadu's bid to push for an outright win at close on the third day of the Elite
Group +D+ Ranji Trophy cricket match against Saurashtra in Coimbatore on
Sunday.
The home team were all out for 367 and secured a 164-run and quickly reduced
the visitors to 35 for five, when heavy rains ruled out play after tea.
Earlier, resuming at 278 for three in 89 overs, Tamil Nadu lost quick wickets
into the third morning and were reduced to 301 for eight, belying the hopes of
securing a handy lead.
But, a 60-run ninth wicket stand brought some life before Tamil Nadu was
eventually bowled out for 367 runs in 121.3 overs. Saurashtra made 203 runs
in their first innings.
Tamil Nadu added 89 runs in 32.3 overs on the third day to secure a good lead,
before hitting back with quick wickets to put the visitors in a spot of bother.
Beginning the day in a strong position, the home team lost five wickets for 23 runs
in 9.2 overs as Saurashtra skipper and left arm speedster Jaydev Unadkat breathed
fire with nagging line and length and also got some assistance from the wicket.
However, a 60-run ninth wicket stand in 19.3 overs between C.Andre Siddarth
(38, 61 balls, 4x4) and M.Mohammed (26 not out, 65 balls, 2x4, 1x6), who defied
the Saurashtra bowlers, helped the home team gain a 164 run lead.
Jayadev finished with a superb spell of six for 61 and off-spinner Yuvrajsinh Dodiya
claimed two wickets to polish off the innings.
However, Saurshtra got off to a horrible start in the second innings and were tottering
at 16 for five by the 15th over, as left arm seamer Gurjapneet Singh claimed four wickets
in a hostile spell, after medium pacer Sonu Yadav removed opener Harvi Desai.
It was yet another failure for Cheteswar Pujara, who did not trouble the scorers and
lasted just six balls, before he was trapped in front of Gurjapneet, whose figures at
that stage read 9-5-7-4.
Saurashtra went into the tea break a 35 for five in 25 overs, trailing by 129 runs,
with Tamil Nadu poised to push for victory.
Arpit Vasavada (15 not out), who anchored the team in the first innings with an
unbeaten half century, and Sheldon Jackson (5 not out) were at the crease.
However, sudden heavy rains ruled out any play after Tea and the home team
would pray for clear skies on the morrow--though met office predicted rains in
several parts of the state--to press home the advantage and start their campaign
with a win.
Brief scores :
Saurashtra 203 and 35 for 5 in 25 overs (Gurjapneet Singh 4 for 7, Sonu
Yadav 1 for 11) vs Tamil Nadu 367 in 121.3 overs (B. Sai Sudharsan 82,
N. Jagadeesan 100, Pradosh Ranjan Paul 49, B. Indrajith 40, Andre
Siddarth 38, M Mohammed 26 not out, Jaydev Unadkat six for 61,
Yuvrajsinh Dodiya 2 for 59).
UNI GV 1710