Openers place Andhra in command

A unbeaten 118 run opening stand between Prasad Reddy (32) and Amit Phatak (83) put Andhra in firm control of the proceedings on the opening day of the South Zone Ranji Trophy match against Goa at the Dr Rajendra Prasad Stadium at Margao on Thursday. Earlier Goa were bundled out for just 163 in their first innings.

Opting to bat, Goa were off to a bad start losing Vivek Kolankar (0), who ran himself out in the fifth over of the day. Goa's recruit, Tamil Nadu Tanveer Jabbar (4) lasted just two overs. Failing to make any impact he departed in the seventh over, bowled by N Madhukar. But Goa skipper Pravin Amre (40) joined Anand Bhagwath (17) to take the score to 44. Avdoot Amonkar (12) was sent back to the pavilion soon after. Watekar then had Amre caught by Mohd Faiq. None of the other Goan batsmen showed signs of staying long at the crease with the exception of Avinash Avare (33). The innings folded up in the 65th over with most of the Andhra bowlers sharing the honours.

When the Andhra innings commenced after an early tea, it was the turn of the openers to take over the proceedings, with Amit Phatak playing the lead role. In an 108 minute stay he stamped his authority over the bowlers by scoring his runs off just 88 balls. During his unbeaten knock he found the boundary ropes 15 times.