South Zone U-25 Tourney: Srinivas, Rao in century partnership

Andhra batsmen generally had things their way on the opening day of their three day Coca Cola Trophy South Zone (under-25) tournament against Kerala at the Maharaja Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Complex, Bangalore on Friday. Off 89.3 overs they scored 355 before they were all out shortly before stumps.

About half the runs came from the bats of Gnaneswara Rao (94) and skipper I Srinivas (81). Andhra were given a good start by openers LNP Reddy (22) and Krishna Mohan (41) who put on 52 runs off 11.3 overs. But Andhra were none too happily placed at 119 for four. However Rao and Srinivas initiated the recovery process by adding 115 runs for the fifth wicket off 31.4 overs. Srinivas, who was fifth out, dominated the partnership facing only 110 balls and hitting 14 fours. Rao, who played the sheet anchor role, carried on in the company of H Vatekar with whom he added 71 runs for the sixth wicket off 16.4 overs. Rao who was sixth out faced 187 balls and hit eleven fours. Vatekar hit a breezy 44 off 57 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. No 10 batsman Balasaraswathi also hit out boldly for 25 off 19 balls with two sixes and two fours.

Late in the day however Kerala retreived some ground. Medium pacer Tinu Yohannan, bowling with the new ball took some quick wickets and Andhra slid from 305 for five to 355. Yohannan took five wickets for 100 runs off 20 overs while left arm spinner PV Rajesh took four for 84 from 31.3 overs.