Baroda compound Orissa's woes

After refusing to enforce the follow on, hosts Baroda piled on the runs and increased Orissa's woes at the Gujarat State Fertilizer Corporation Ground, Baroda. Beginning the fourth day on 69/1 after making 568 in their first essay and dismissing Orissa for 280, Baroda ended the fourth day on 409/9. The overall lead is now a stupendous and equally pointless 697. On the fifth and final day, a minimum of 90 overs can be bowled and Orissa are looking at chasing a target around the 700 mark.

Satyajit Parab and Himanshu Jadhav began the proceedings for the home side and did so in fine style. Parab (56) notched up his half century before being caught and bowled by Debashish Mohanty. The fall of Parab's wicket brought Jacob Martin out to the middle to keep Jadhav company. The pair added 70 runs for the second wicket before skipper Martin (33) was snapped up by Sanjay Raul.

Himanshu Jadhav went on to make 78 (285 mins, 212 balls, 11 fours) and top scored, even as everyone in the batting line up made contributions. Tushar Arothe coming in at number five slammed a breezy half century, knocking up 62 runs in just 51 balls. Arothe smashed the ball to the ropes on 9 occasions and hit it clean over the ropes thrice in the course of his innings.

Adding to his first innings 181, Mongia helped himself to a better than run a ball 53 that included 9 boundaries. After Mongia was dismissed, Ajit Bhoite continued the good work, clouting 45 off just 40 balls, (6 fours, 2 sixes).

There was little the Orissa bowlers could do but go through the motions. With the wickets being shared around, no single bowler was more penetrative on the day than others. Having conceded the first innings lead, the game is virtually over for Orissa at this stage. Personal milestones are left to play for and that will be all there is to the final day.