Baroda batsmen dominate on day one against Orissa

Baroda had things their own way on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy semifinal against Orissa at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground in Baroda on Thursday. Winning a good toss, the hosts piled on the runs and ended the day with an imposing score of 319 for two off 90 overs.

Baroda's consistent opening pair Connor Williams and Satyajit Parab gave their side a good start by putting on 54 runs off 10 overs before the former was caught by wicketkeeper Gopal off Mohanty for 35. The 27-year-old left hander, who dominated the partnership, faced just 32 balls and hit five fours in his brief but bright innings.

Nayan Mongia joined Parab and the two motored along steadily. The two added 111 runs for the second wicket off 33.1 overs before Parab was stumped by Gopal off Satpathy for 60. The 25-year-old Parab, one of the consistent run getters this season maintained his form facing 127 balls and hitting seven fours.

With skipper Jacob Martin joining Mongia, there was no respite for the Orissa team. The two experienced campaigners picked off the runs with consummate ease. Orissa captain Shiv Sundar Das tried eight bowlers in all but there was little they could do and Mongia and Martin came through unbeaten at stumps. The 31-year-old Indian wicketkeeper, who can boast of a highest score of 152 in Test cricket, was batting on 137 at stumps. He has so far faced 244 balls and hit 19 fours and a six. Martin, who completes 29 next month, was on 70 at close of play. He has so far faced 142 balls and hit ten fours. With two established players at the crease and with plenty of batting to come, Baroda are poised for a really imposing total.

In conditions favouring batsmen, the Orissa bowling was predictably ineffective. Medium pacer Mohanty and off spinner Satpathy picked up a wicket each conceding 49 runs and 82 runs respectively. Another gruelling day for Orissa is on the cards on Friday.