Kerala prolong Karnataka's agony

With Kerala's entry into the final already certain by the end of the second day, the last day's play in their Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament group A game against Karnataka at the Maharaja Jayamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Compex in Bangalore was devoid of much interest. Kerala, resuming at 410 for three in reply to Karnataka's first innings total of 264, batted on till they were all out for 615 in 157.2 overs. In the remaining time, Karnataka scored 92 for two in their second innings.

There was no respite for the beleaguered Karnataka bowlers even on the final day. Overnight not out batsmen CM Shyam (90) and skipper NA Kudua (54) made their fourth wicket association worth 94 runs off 18.2 overs. Kudua was in a particularly aggressive mood and his 54 was made off just 50 balls with eleven hits to the ropes. Then Shyam and Ramakrishna prolonged Karnataka's agony by adding 88 runs for the sixth wicket off 22.4 overs. Shyam was a trifle unlucky to miss his century by ten runs. He faced 179 balls and hit 20 fours. Ramakrishna also made runs at a nifty rate hitting 42 off 64 balls with four fours and two sixes. F Muhammad, at No 9, made Karnataka's misery complete by hitting 20 off 22 balls with two fours and a six. S Rath was the only bowler to stand up to the punishment and he was rewarded with four wickets for 110 runs.

The truncated Karnataka second innings saw openers Shyam Ponappa (47) and BA Vinay (23) putting on 72 runs off 16.3 overs. Rain forced an early closure. Kerala with ten points from two matches formally qualified for the final where they will meet Tamil Nadu. The three day match commences on Saturday.