Venugopal Rao, Gyaneshwar Rao hit unbeaten centuries

An unbeaten 237 run partnership for the fourth wicket between the Andhra skipper Y Venugopal Rao (142 not out) and Y Gyaneshwar Rao (109 not out) saw the visitors dominate the first day's play of the South Zone Cooch Behar Trophy (Under-19) match against Goa at the Rajendra Prasad Stadium in Margao on Friday. In reply to Andhra's 300 for three declared, Goa were 43 for 2 at stumps.

The match was advanced by a day and Andhra, put into bat, made a circumspect start. Openers Suresh (3) and Tahir Hussain (14) put on only 13 runs in 4.4 overs before the former was caught behind off Robin D'souza. Tahir and Gnaneshwar Rao took the score to 33. Then Tahir was dismissed when he also was caught by wicketkeeper Damodar Redkar off Suraj Kamat. ASK Varma then joined Rao and Andhra went past the fifty run mark.

But with the score at 63, Varma (13) edged Abdul Mujavar to give Redkar his third catch. This brought in Venugopal Rao to the centre. He and Gyaneshwar dominated the proceeding from then on and went on to make significant contributions. Venugopal Rao was the dominant partner as he reached the three figure mark in just 116 balls.

Gnaneshwar Rao and Venugopal Rao were severe on the Goan attack. Gautham Narvekar and Adithya Angle went for 64 and 41 runs in the 12 overs between them. The double century of the partnership came up well before tea. Gnaneshwar Rao reached his century off 171 balls. But with Andhra total reaching 300, Venugopal Rao declared the innings. Venugopal Rao during his 169 minutes stay at the crease faced 133 balls and hit 12 boundaries and 5 sixes while Gnaneshwar Rao faced 179 balls and found the boundary ropes 11 times.

In reply Goa, made a sedate start before losing Mithun Naik for 16 in the 16th over. He was bowled by Mohd Faiq. Two overs later Abdul Muzawar returned to the pavilion without opening his account. Sahil Dhuri (1) and Gautham Narvekar (21) batted out till stumps were drawn.