Himachal and Haryana complete big wins
Pinninti Jayachandra's fighting 130 was the only silver lining for Orissa as they crashed to a heavy defeat against Himachal Pradesh at Dharmasala
Cricinfo staff
08-Dec-2004
Himachal Pradesh 425 beat Orissa 80 and 302 (Jayachandra 130, Parida 60) by an innings and 43 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Pinninti Jayachandra's fighting 130 was the only silver lining for Orissa as they crashed to a heavy defeat against Himachal Pradesh at Dharmasala. Orissa were playing catch up and a mauling was always on the cards after they had collapsed for just 80 in the first innings. But Rashmi Ranjan Parida and Jayachandra delayed the inevitable with a 106-run stand for the third wicket. However Vishal Bhatia and Ashok Thakur snapped up four wickets apiece as the Orissa lower order came apart in quick time. Himachal picked up the bonus point by virtue of winning by an innings and took a comfortable lead at the top of the table.
Amit Mishra and Joginder Sharma picked up seven wickets between them and helped Haryana wrap up a comfortable victory, which earned them a bonus point as well, in Delhi. Services, who had been bowled out for 185 in the first innings, put up a better show while following on with their top four batsmen using up valuable time. But Mishra, the legspinner, and Sharma, who was recently picked in the Indian one-day squad, ripped through the middle order and the last seven batsmen didn't even manage to reach double figures.
Vidarbha lasted just 38.2 overs in their second innings and went down by 165 runs against Goa at Margao. Chasing 283 on the final day, Vidarbha were on their way to earning a draw when they were 103 for 4. But the last six wickets fell for just 14 as Avinash Aware and Sher Yadav, the left-arm spinner, broke through. Despite the defeat, Vidarbha share top spot along with Haryana in Group B of the Plate division.
Kerala gained two points from their game at Jamshedpur as the game meandered to a dull draw on the final day. Having gained a slender six-run lead, Kerala ground their way to 161, with Sreekumar Nair making a dogged 57, and assured themselves the first-innings points. Jharkhand were 16 without loss when play was called off.