Tamil Nadu, UP go through the formalities

The last day of the Group C Ranji Trophy Super League match between Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh at Kanpur on Thursday assumed farcical proportions. The match ended in a tame draw. Tamil Nadu picked up five points to finish with 26 while Uttar Pradesh got three to end with 22.

After scoring close to 700 runs in their first innings, Tamil Nadu made a meal of their second stint at the crease. The match was all but over before they came out to bat. With nothing to play for, Tamil Nadu were all out for 264 in the second innings. Hemang Badani who made 62 in the first innings helped himself to a hundred while wickets fell around him. Trailing by 733 with just 14 overs to play, Uttar Pradesh rightly saw no point in sending their openers out to bat. Instead, tailenders Mrithyunjay Tripathi and Musi Raza came out and made 28 runs without being troubled.

Sridharan Sriram, who was not out on zero at the end of the third day, was called away on national duty and could not take the crease on the final day. Sriram has been drafted into the Indian one-day squad. Sadagoppan Ramesh batted at No 8, instead of opening the innings.

Reuben Paul, the Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper bowling an over just about summed up the farcical nature of the last day's play.