Jacob Martin leads Baroda run spree

Baroda captain Jacob Martin's second century of the season led the hosts to an imposing 273/3 on the first day of their Ranji Trophy pre-quarterfinal against Bengal at the Central College Ground in Baroda on Saturday.

Rival skipper Devang Gandhi's decision to insert his opponents after winning the toss appears to have exploded in his face despite the bonus of two early wickets. Opener Satyajit Parab was bowled by Laxmi Ratan Shukla in the day's seventh over and one-drop Himanshu Jadhav followed shortly afterwards, stumped by Deep Dasgupta off left arm spinner Utpal Chatterjee.

That left Baroda at 47/2 but a 137-run third wicket stand in 44 overs between Connor Williams and Martin turned the tide firmly in Baroda's favour. Baroda's highest rungetter in the zonal league, Williams was trapped leg before by Chatterjee for 86 (13 fours, 1 six).

Lefthander Tushar Arothe gave his skipper company through the last 22 overs of the day, gathering a brisk 55 in just 82 balls with the help of nine boundaries. Martin completed his century just before stumps, closing on 103 (226 balls, 14 fours).

The 36-year-old Chatterjee retained the best figures of 2/48 in 27 overs. Medium pacers Shib Shankar Paul and Sabir Ali as well as off spinner Ajoy Das all went unrewarded. The last two did not play any of Bengal's matches in the zonal league.