GUWAHATI, Nov 23 - Andhra took thin but vital 7-run first innings lead against Kerala in their Ranji Trophy Group C match at the Barsapara stadium here today.
On the third day of the four-day encounter, in reply to Kerala�s 219, Andhra, resuming at 173 for six, were all out for 226. At the end of day�s play, Kerala were 229 for five.
Overnight unbeaten batsman Ricky Bhui played a vital role in Andhra innings as he scored 62 runs staying at the crease for 222 minutes. His 149-ball knock was studded with eight boundaries. Tail ender Bandaru Ayyappa (17 off 30 balls, 3x4) also did a laudable job and finally enabled his team in taking lead.
But in the second innings the Kerala batsmen came out with a positive attitude and scored 229 for five from 59 overs. Skipper Rohan Prem top scored with 89 while opener Bhavin Thakkar contributed 56.
SCORECARD
Kerala 1st innings 219
Andhra 1st innings (overnight 173/6): RK Bhui lbw b Vinod Kumar 62, KV Sasikanth c Mohammed Azharuddeen b Vinod Kumar 8, BA Bhatt not out 9, B Ayyappa c Sachin Baby b Iqbal Abdulla 17, DP Vijaykumar c Mohammed Azharuddeen b Basil Thampi 0; Extras: (b 4, lb 2, nb 1) 7; Total: (all out; 96.3 overs) 226. Fall of wickets: 7-197, 8-200, 9-222, 10-226. Bowling: S Sandeep Warrier 19-5-49-0, V Vinod Kumar 18-3-47-2, Basil Thampi 17.3-5-33-3, Iqbal Abdulla 26-5-63-3, KS Monish 9-2-21-0, PR Prem 7-1-7-2.
Kerala 2nd innings: BJ Thakkar lbw b Bhatt 56, Vishnu Vinod c Ravi Teja b Vijaykumar 3, PR Prem lbw b Sasikanth 89, SV Samson c&b Vijaykumar 7, Mohammed Azharuddeen c Bharat b Vijaykumar 36, Sachin Baby not out 17, Iqbal Abdulla not out 1; Extras: (b 8, lb 6, nb 6) 20; Total: (5 wickets; 59 overs) 229; Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-87, 3-94, 4-201, 5-228. Bowling: DP Vijaykumar 12-2-48-3, B Ayyappa 11-0-42-0, K Ashwin Hebbar 3-0-11-0, KV Sasikanth 12-0-35-1, BA Bhatt 21-1-79-1.
