Andhra tragically stopped on doorstep of first innings lead

A brilliant stand between Y Gnaneswara Rao and ASK Varma went in vain as heavy showers interceded to drown out Andhra's hopes in the Cooch Behar South Zone league at Vishakapatnam today. When the skies opened up, the hosts were just two runs short of the first innings lead, having piled up 420/5 in reply to Hyderabad's 421. Both teams shared three points each in the drawn encounter.

Resuming at 105/2, Gnaneswara Rao and Varma compiled a 351-run partnership for the third wicket in just under 80 overs before both were dismissed within a few runs of each other when just in sight of Hyderabad's first innings total. Gnaneswara Rao made an exact double century off 260 balls inclusive of 21 fours and a six before he was stumped by Ibrahim Khaleel off Syed Yakoob. Varma followed for 165 (234 balls, 18 fours and 2 sixes), being snaffled by Arjun Yadav at short leg off Nalin Reddy to leave Andhra at 401/4.

Andhra took one more setback in their stride as Venugopala Rao fell cheaply for 13, caught in the covers by Ambati Rayudu to give Yakoob his second wicket. Eight minutes into the final session of the day came the tragic denouement and play was officially called of at 5.15 pm. At the end of two matches Andhra's tally was at eight points while Hyderabad were ahead at eleven.