Dharmichand, Binny place Karnataka in command

A quickfire 96 by Stuart Binny helped Karnataka end the second day in a commanding position against Kerala in the South Zone Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19) match at the KRL ground in Ambalamugal on Sunday. Kerala were all out in their first innings for 151 in reply to Karnataka's 204. In their second innings, Karnataka consolidated by scoring 217 for eight wickets.

Karnataka commenced their second innings disastrously. DV Krishna (10) was the first to fall when he offered a catch to Vipin Lal in the sixth over. Wicketkeeper Uthappa started with a flourish hitting three boundaries but when 12 his stumps were shattered by John. His innings was brought to an end by NJ John. Chougule joined HTS Rao and the two took the score to 71. At this stage, Rao was trapped leg before by Sooraj.

Binny now came in but he soon lost Chougule (16) to a catch by John off the bowling of Sooraj. Then Binny and his captain C Raghu (15) added 36 runs for the fifth wicket off 6.3 overs. Raghu then was caught by Kapil off Sujith. Binny who was batting with elan now had the support of Sachin (17). Binny did the bulk of the scoring and the partnership was worth 61 runs when a throw from Vipins found Sachin stranded. Binny however continued to play his strokes boldly and brought up the 200 for Karnataka. Five short of a century, he was missed by Nathani off Sujith. But one run later Nathani made amends to run Binny out. Binny who was seventh out at 204, played just 83 balls and had eight boundary hits.

Earlier, resuming at 57 for 3, Kerala proceeded to 90 when they lost Antony (23) caught by Chougule off Raghu. Vipin Lal (24) also did not last long and he departed after being caught by Sachin off Raghu. Thereafter Kerala lost wickets at regular intervals. The wrecker in chief was Dharmichand (5 for 61) who ran through the lower order. Only Sujith (36) showed some defiance.