Batsmen put Orissa in command on day three

With their batsmen in ominous form, Orissa placed themselves in a commandable position on a day which witnessed the visitors amass 470 for seven in their first innings even though none of the main run getters reached the coveted 100. At stumps on the third day, Orissa ensured themselves of a massive 178 run lead over Bihar in the East Zone Ranji Trophy match at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur on Tuesday.

Resuming at 147 for 2, overnight batsmen Sanjay Raul and Pradeep Das realised the first significant partnership of the Orissa innings. The pair which came together at the fall of P Mullick's wicket forged a 152-run stand for the third wicket. While Das got 88, Raul hit 98. The pair was separated when Raul fell to a catch by Dhoni off Vikash Kumar. Raul during his 211-minute stay at the crease faced 154 balls and found the signboards on 17 occasions.

This brought skipper RR Parida to the crease and with Das for company, the two added 89 runs for the third wicket. After the departure of Das in the 98th over of the innings, Jai Chandra joined his skipper and frustrated the Bihar bowlers further with a 83-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Parida (98) was dismissed after a 202-minute stay at the crease during which he received 171 balls and hit 11 boundaries. But Jai Chandra continued on his way even as he lost stumper Y Mohanty (19) and Sanjay Sathpathy (8). Jai Chandra, who remained unbeaten on 89, faced 172 balls and hit nine fours and a six.