Kerala makes amends to reach 266 for 6

Kerala made adequate amends to their previous disastrous batting display against Andhra to end at 266 for 6 on the first day of their South Zone Ranji Trophy match against Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on wednesday.

Put into bat, Kerala openers V Girilal (26) and MP Sorab (38) put on a solid 69 runs in 24.4 overs. Sorab was the first to be dismissed, caught by Tanveer Jabbar off SA Khalid. Three overs later his partner Girilal departed for a catch to ND Kambli off Kalekar. R Menon (28) NA Kudua (27) then added 52 runs for the third wicket to take the score to 125.

But Goa seamer Avinash Aware (3 for 51) struck three vital blows to send back Menon, Kudua and B Ramprakash. Kerala suddenly looked down the barrel but Sunil Oasis (47 runs 104 balls 6 fours) and Sreekumar Nair (45 not out) came to their rescue with a 80 run sixth wicket partnership. After a 181 minute stay at the crease Oasis fell leg before to Khalid to pave the way for the Kerala skipper Ananthapadmanabhan (27 not out). The two then negotiated the rest of the overs and ensured no further hiccups for the hosts.