Bengal on course for first innings lead

Nilambar Saha and Rohan Gavaskar with unbeaten knocks of 54 and 49 added 70 runs to put Bengal on course to make a fitting reply to Bihar's first innings total of 341 at stumps on the second day of their East Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the Keenan stadium in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. At stumps Bengal were 128 for one.

Saha dominated a first wicket partnership of 58 runs in 17.3 overs with H Firozi (7) and then in association with Gavaskar, he helped Bengal consolidate. By close, Saha had faced 112 balls and hit ten fours while the left handed Gavaskar had faced 71 balls and had four hits to the ropes.

Earlier, Bengal skipper Utpal Chatterjee played a leading role in restricting Bihar. Resuming at 223 for five, Bihar lost wickets at regular intervals and were 299 for nine. However a last wicket stand of 42 runs off 15.3 overs between Avinash Kumar (32 not out) and S Gupta (25) boosted the Bihar total. Chatterjee finished with five for 90 off 54.1 overs with his left arm spinners, picking up three of the five wickets to fall on the second day.