Kerala draw with Services, gain three points

Palakkad, Nov 18 (UNI) Kerala managed to bag three points by virtue of their first innings lead of 216 runs over Services, while the visitors had to remain content with one point as the four-day 'Ranji Trophy Plate' league cricket match ended in a tame draw here today.

Services, who required 67 runs to avoid a follow-on could add only 25 runs to their overnight score of 325 runs, thanks to the brilliant and accurate bowling by former India spearhead Tinu Yohannan and Prasanth Chandran.

Tinu scalped five wickets conceeding 56 runs in 18 overs, while Chandran bagged two wickets conceding 63 runs in 17 overs.

Except Jasvir, no other Services batsmen could hold fort and their first innings ended at 350 before lunch in 115 overs.

In their second innings, Services lost two wickets early for 36 runs. However, Devender and Jasvir scored 43 runs each to offer some resistance. Captain Yashpal also contrbuted 43 runs.

However, succumbing to spinner S Aneesh, who bagged six wickets, including those of Jasvir Singh and Tahir Khan, Services in their second essay scored 233 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 76 overs.

UNI