Venu's century goes in vain as TN take 2 pts from a draw

Chennai, Dec 4 (UNI) Andhra skipper Y Venugopala Rao's unbeaten century knock of 105 came too late in the day as the Elite Group A Ranji trophy cricket championship league match ended in a draw with Tamil Nadu collecting two points for first innings lead, at the M A Chidambaram stadium here today.

Resuming their second innings at the overnight score of 79 for one, Andhra made 327 losing eight wickets in 120.5 overs, when the match was called off after the fifth ball of the 14th mandatory over. Venugopala Rao's score was compiled in 366 minutes off 247 balls with the help of 15 fours and two sixes. Andhra's slender lead was of no avail.

With R V Ch Prasad, who remained unbeaten on 55 (130 balls, 102 mintues, nine fours), Venugopala Rao, who fell for a duck in Andhra's first innings, added 102 runs in 32.1 overs, in an unbroken stand for the sixth wicket.

However, Venugopala Rao's 'captain's knock' enabled Andhra to prevent Tamil Nadu from winning the match outright. Andhra's recovery came in the post lunch session on the final day when the team was tottering at 169 for five.

For Tamil Nadu, leftarm medium pacer R Naresh was the most successful bowler claiming three wickets for 58 runs, while his new ball partner R Jesuraj claimed 2 for 50 and left arm spinner S Vidhyut two for 52.

Brief Scores: Tamil Nadu 474, Andhra 155 and 327-8 in 120.5 overs (M S K Prasad 29, Y Venugopala Rao1-5 n.o, R V Ch Prasad 55 n.o, R Naresh 3-58, R Jesuraj 2-50, S Vidhyut 2-52) Points: TN 2, Andhra-0.

UNI VV DH HS1913