Assam call the shots against Andhra
A round-up of the first day's play from the semi-finals of the Ranji Trophy Plate League 2009-10
Cricinfo staff
15-Dec-2009
A tight spell from offspinner Arlen Konwar restricted Andhra to 212 for 9 at stumps against Assam at Guwahati. The visitors' decision to bat first was initially vindicated by the top-order batsmen. Prasad Reddy and Avadhanam Rakesh combined forces in a second-wicket stand that yielded 72 before legspinner Sairaj Bahutule trapped Reddy in front after a stroke-filled fifty. Venugopal Rao then helped the resolute Rakesh add a further 59 after which Andhra suffered a middle-order collapse. Dhiraj Goswami's dismissal of Rao was the cue for Konwar to take centre-stage as he nipped out three important wickets without conceding too many runs. Andhra captain Bodapati Sumanth resisted briefly before Konwar sent him back after Andhra had passed 200. Assam will look to pick the last wicket quickly and drive home the early advantage on day two. Andhra on the other hand will want to capitalize on the sharp turn on offer, that is set to gradually increase as the match progresses.
Honours were even at stumps on the first day between Haryana and Tripura at Rohtak. Haryana opener Nitin Saini anchored the start of the innings through steady partnerships of 32 and 57 for the first two wickets. His 59 was punctuated by six hits to the fence and one over it before he became first-change bowler Timir Chanda's second wicket. Manav Sharma then took over the role of holding one end up with a knock of 42 that came at a languid strike-rate of 24 before Chanda dismissed him with stumps in sight. Haryana will hope that Sachin Rana and the tail can ensure that the hard work done on the first day bears fruit on the second.