Barrington and Beerala prop up Karnataka

In a repeat of the semifinal clash last season, Karnataka took on Hyderabad in the South Zone Ranji Trophy league match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium at Bangalore. The one big change was Mohammed Azharuddin missing in the visiting side. As it turned out though, it was the home side batting out in the middle. Youngsters Mithun Beerala and Barrington Rowland batted well and helped Karnataka post 279/4 at stumps.

At the end of 15 overs, Arun Kumar (28) became the first Karnataka batsman to fall, caught at gully by left arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju off the bowling of Parth Satwalkar. Beerala and Barrington then forged the most successful partnership of the day, posting 106 runs for the second wicket. Beerala and Barrington matched each other shot for shot. While Beerala made 73 (158 balls, 8 fours, 1 six), Barrington hit 70 (150 balls, 8 fours).

If two youngsters ruled the roost for Karnataka, it took two Hyderabad veterans to stop them. Off spinner Kanwaljit Singh had Barrington caught at short leg while Raju snapped up Beerala caught and bowled.

One Day hopeful Vijay Bharadwaj (43 not out) held one end up till stumps even as One-Day discard Sujit Somasunder (43) became Kanwaljit Singh's second victim. Stumper Tilak Naidu (13 not out) kept Bharadwaj company as Karnataka ended on a healthy 279/4.