Middle order batsmen put Orissa in command

Sound middle order batting put Orissa in a position of some strength at close of play on the second day of their East Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Assam at the Angul stadium on Tuesday. After scoring 425, they took three first innings wickets for 117 runs.

Resuming at 262 for five, Orissa were well served by the overnight not out batsmen P Jaichandra and R Morris. They took the score to 311 before Jaichandra was out for 72. He faced 111 balls and hit eleven fours and a six. Morris and G Gopal then took the score to 366 before the latter was dismissed for a valuable 30. Morris with the help of the tail kept the innings going till he was last out for 88. He faced 147 balls and hit seven fours and four sixes. Sukhbinder Singh, with five wickets for 129 runs, was the most successful bowler.

When Assam batted, skipper Zuffri scored a gallant 68 for which he faced 95 balls and hit ten boundaries. But his dismissal shortly before close was a severe blow and Assam were in some trouble at stumps.