Reddy's timely knock helps Andhra avoid follow on

Vijayawada, Jan 4 (UNI) A sensible knock by opener L N Prasad Reddy helped Andhra avoid follow on against Delhi in the Ranji Trophy Elite Group-A match being played at the Indira Gandhi municipal corporation stadium here today.

In reply to Delhi's first innings total of 355, Andhra were bowled out for 209 runs after lunch. The hosts lost their overnight batsman R V Ch Prasad in the morning session, who contributed a partnership of 63 with Reddy.

Andhra recovered again after the arrival of Shahabuddin, who played a gallant innings of 50 ( 68 balls, 6 fours, one six) before he was out with the score board reading, six for 175.

Shahabuddin had the highest partnership of 67 with Reddy, for the seventh wicket. After the fall of Shahabuddin, Reddy had the mortification of watching the wickets tumbling like nine-pins at the non-striker's end. However, he thwarted Delhi's hopes and batted till the end by pulling his team out of woods and avoiding the follow-on.

Reddy remained unbeaten on 71, studded with nine fours in 299 balls and 402 minutes.

For Delhi, the tall lanky pacer Ishant Sharma was the successful bowler with four wickets for 46 runs. Amit Bhandari took three for 40 and right-arm off spinner Suhail Sharma claimed two for 73.

Delhi, after establishing a lead of 146 runs, were in trouble in the second innings when they lost two wickets for 16 runs.

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