Girilal takes Kerala to brink of lead

Kerala were on the brink of capturing the first innings lead againstAndhra in their South Zone Ranji Trophy league tie at Vijayawadatoday

Sankhya Krishnan02-Nov-2000Kerala were on the brink of capturing the first innings lead againstAndhra in their South Zone Ranji Trophy league tie at Vijayawadatoday. A fine half century by opener Varun Girilal was the engine thatdrove Kerala to a stumps score of 239/5, five runs behind Andhra’stally of 244.Resuming in the morning at 243/8, the Andhra tail survived just nineballs before succumbing. National Cricket Academy trainee Tinu Yohananknocked over the last two men in successive balls to return inningspickings of 5/78. In Kerala’s reply, Girilal produced 84 (218 balls,10 fours) off his own blade before being fourth out at 171.Ajay Kudua (45 not out) and B Ramprakash (38) then produced a 69 runassociation for the fifth wicket before the latter fell to the lastball of the day, from seamer N Madhukar. Off spinner Hemal Watekar wasby far Andhra’s best bowler with a not unimpressive analysis of 3/60.