Kerala-Service match heading for a draw

Palakkad, Nov 17 (UNI) With the help of maiden centuries by Tahir Khan and Devendar Israni, Services managed to pile up 325 against Kerala's mammoth 566 on the penultimate day of the Ranji Trophy plate league match here today.

At stumps, Services were 325 for five.

Tinu Yohannan, with his accurate throw, inflicted first shock to the visitors, as he claimed the wicket of Soumik Chatterjee (4) before the Services could reach a double digit figure.

However, the second wicket partnership betw een Tahir Khan and Devendran Israni, succeeded in adding a valuable 198 runs, and avoided a follow-on.

Hosts Kerala with the help of a triple century by Sreekumar Nair had declared their first innings at 566 for six.

The duo spent 350 minutes at the crease and faced 350 balls before Tahir (100, 18 fours) was dismissed by Tinu presenting a catch to wicket-keeper Vinan G Nair.

Jasvir Sing, who came in place of Tahir, gave solid support to Israni, who made a valuable 115, studded with 18 hits to the fence, before he was dismissed by Sreekumar Nair.

The third wicket partnership between Jasvir and Israni added another 60 runs to the visitors total.

For hosts Tinu was the most successful bowler, as he claimed two wickets, conceding 46 runs in 11 overs.

Jasvir and Satish Upadhyay were batting with 56 and eights runs respectively on the close of the third day and the match was heading for a draw.

Kerala first innings: 566 for six (declared) Services first innings: Soumik Chatterjee B Tinu 04 Tahir Khan C Vinan B Tinu 100 Devendar Israni C Vinan B Sreekumar 115 Jasvir Singh not out 56 Yashpal Singh C&B Sony Cheruvathoor 09 Satheesh Upadhyay not out 08 Extras (bye 1, lb 2, wb 9 and nb 12) 24 Total 325 for five Fall of wickets: 9/1, 207/2, 267/3, 293/4, 306/5 Bowling T Yohannan 11-0-46-2 Prasanth Chandran 11-1-49-0 Sony Cheruvathoor 28-6-89-1 P Prasanth 08-0-23-0 S Aneesh 29-0-52-1 V A Jagadeesh 04-1-10-0 Sreekumar Nair 11-0-43-1 UNI CGV KVV AB KN1943