Andhra score 215/5; Sumant unbeaten 58

Thalassery: Skipper B Sumant’s unbeaten 58 and his 82-run fourth wicket partnership with Venugopala Rao (69) helped Andhra Pradesh score 215 for 5 on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Plate Group ‘B’ match against Kerala here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat, Andhra got off to a good start with openers Watekar (29) and Prasad Reddy (16) putting on 46 runs, but after that they lost quick wickets to be at 62 for 3.

However, former India player Venugopala Rao and Sumant played sensibly to take the score to 144/4 before the former departed after scoring 69 in 92 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and a huge six off left-arm spinner Prashant.

Sumant continued his good form and along with Manoj Sai (17) added another 48 runs for the fifth wicket. Sumant’s 58 included seven boundaries.

Kerala captain and former India fast bowler, S Sreesanth remained wicketless. He bowled 13 overs three of which were maidens and gave away 33 runs.

Spinner Sreekumar Nair captured 2/30, while Jagadeesh 1/11 and Sony Cheruvathoor 1/31 were the other successful bowlers.

Brief scores: Andhra Pradesh first Innings 215/5 (Venugopala Rao 69, B Sumant 58 not out; S K Nair 2/30, Sony Cheruvathoor 1/31, Jagadeesh 1/11).

Bureau Report