Andhra defeat Kerala by an innings

Andhra, who were in a position of considerable strength at stumps on the first day of their South Zone (under-19) Cooch Behar Trophy match against Kerala, set the seal on their overwhelming superiority by winning by an innings and 66 runs with more than a day to spare on the second day at the Ukku stadium in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

After dismissing Kerala for 56 runs and replying with 164 for one at close of play, Andhra declared their first innings on Tuesday at 206 for four wickets. The declaration was made shortly after opening batsman and wicketkeeper Md Tahir Hussain got his century. Resuming at 79, Hussain remained unbeaten with exactly 100 at the declaration. He faced 207 balls and hit 10 fours. The other overnight batsman Gnaneswara Rao fell without adding to his score of 61.

In arrears by 150 runs on the first innings, Kerala hardly fared any better in their second innings and were shot out for 84 runs in 39.1 overs. The wrecker-in-chief this time was opening bowler PAVN Raju who finished with six wickets for 17. Md Faiq, who took five wickets in the first innings, captured three for 20. Tahir Hussain, besides his unbeaten hundred, also took four catches and made one stumping.