Girilal helps Kerala to play out a draw

The P Ramachandra Rao Trophy match at the Nehru Stadium in Cochin involving Kerala and Goa which witnessed tall scores by both the teams ended in a draw on the third and final day on Thursday. Kerala who took the first innings lead got five points while Goa took home three.

Opting to bat, Goa scored 259 in their first innings thanks to a sedate 110 by opener Sagun Kamat. The most significant partnership of the innings was the 135 run opening stand between Kamat and N Mulgaonkar (26). S Mathen was the most successful bowler for Kerala with figures of 6 for 45. During a 259 minute stay at the crease Kamat faced 185 balls while hitting 11 boundaries.

In reply Kerala took a 117 run first innings lead. The innings witnessed a fine 157 run sixth wicket partnership between opener V Girilal (177) and stumper CM Deepak (102 not out) which enabled the host team to get the lead. During a 8 and half hour stay at the crease Girilal faced 377 balls with 17 boundaries and two sixes. On the other hand Deepak who remained unbeaten at the close of play on the final day faced 174 balls during his 218 minute stay at the middle. He hit nine fours and three sixes.