Pathak spanks Goa attack for record 264

Skipper Amit Pathak flayed the Goa attack en route to the highest individual score by an Andhra batsman in Ranji Trophy history as the visitors took a vice-like grip of their South Zone Ranji Trophy game against Goa at Margao. Pathak walloped 264 and opening partner Prasad Reddy helped himself to 138, the first wicket stand of 380 between the two being a record for any wicket for Andhra. 397 runs were pillaged by the batsmen in the 90 overs wheeled over on the day by the hapless Goans, Andhra closing at 514/5.

Resuming at 118 without loss, Pathak and Reddy batted through the first two sessions. Pathak overcame Chandrasekhar Rao's 163 just after lunch to become the highest scorer for his state. Reddy was the first to depart off the bowling of seamer Narayan Kambli. His 138 came off 311 balls, including 10 fours and a six. Pathak's seven and a half hour vigil ended shortly afterwards, left arm spinner Shadab Jakati getting rid of him. Pathak had faced just 295 balls and spanked 35 boundaries.

The next three batsmen in the order, Gnaneswara Rao, Venugopala Rao and RVCH Prasad all got a look-in but failed to entrench themselves at the wicket. I Srinivas and H Watekar, both on 22 apiece, took Andhra through to stumps without any further loss. The Goa bowling figures wore a badly damaged look, with Jakati's 2/115 the best of the lot. Andhra go into the third day, leading by 351 runs with five first innings wickets still in hand.