Saurashtra struggling to avoid defeat in 2nd Innings

Rajkot, Dec 11 (UNI) Saurashtra were struggling at 127 for five in their second innings on the penultimate day of the four-day super league Ranji trofhy encounter against Andhra Pradesh at the Madhavrao Scindia ground, here today.

Set 274 run to win the match, the host reduced to 127 for five and still they have to make another 147 runs to avoid defeat and have only five wickets in hand. They will have to play full sessions tomorrow.

Southpaw Sitanshu Kotak, a lone recognised batsman was unbeaten on 57 when stumps were drawn. His innings studded with seven boundaries while facing 173 balls.

Andhra Pradesh started their second innings at the over night score of 87 for four, were bundled out for 145 runs this morning.

Fine spells by medium pacers and spinner restricted Andhra Pradesh to 145, and their over all lead to 273 runs.

Medium pacer Sandeep Jobanputra scalped three wickets for 78 while his co partenrs S Maniar and Kanaiya Vaghela took two wickets each by conceding 37 and 18 runs respectively.

Spinner R Dhruve had a magic spell of six overs in which he grabbed three wickets for seven runs.

The host did not have a decent season with the bat as they had lost two points to defending champions Uttar Pradesh after conceding the fist innings lead, while playing in Knapur in opening match and in second match, they had defeated at the hands of Baroda here and now they are on the verge of defeat against Andhra Pradesh.

Brief score: Andrha Pradesh Ist innings: 215 all out Saurashtra Ist innings 87 for all out Andhra Pradesh 2nd Innings 145 all out ( A S K Varma 36, Venu Gopal Rao 21 D Sumant 22 S Jobanputra three for 78, S Maniar 2 for 37, K Vaghela 2 for 18 and R Dhruve 3 for 7).

Saurashtra 2nd innings : 127 for 5 (K Vaghela 22, S Kotak not out 57 R Jadeja not out 3 D K Krishna 1 for 28, Venu Gopal rao 2 for 25 and MD. Faiq 1 for 18).

UNI AV WD DH RN2117