Arlen makes merry as Vidarbha on backfoot

GUWAHATI, Dec 10: A splendid performance by Assam bowlers helped the host to sniff a semi final berth in the plate group Ranji trophy championship. At the end of day three Vidarbha is struggling at 180 for the loss of six wickets after Assam declared its first innings at 392 for the loss of eight wickets at the Nehru Stadium here today.

The first two-day of the game was dominated by two Assam batsmen Dhiraj Jadhav and Tarjinder Singh. And now its bowler’s turn to showcase their supremacy as Arlen Konwar took charge and ripped through the Vidarbha batting line-up on day three to place Assam in driver’s seat. On the the way, the Assam spinner recorded his seventh 5-wicket haul in Ranji trophy.

Earlier, Assam declared their first innings on overnight score of 392-8 and Vidarbha started their first innings with a very cautions note. The opening pair added 37 runs before in-form pace bowler Abu Nechim Ahmed removed Ubarhande on his individual score of 16. The rest of the day was dominated by Arlen who picked up five wickets giving away 59 runs.

Among the batsmen of Vidarbha RS Paradkar is fighting a lone battle and the batsman remained not out at 58 runs when the day’s play came to an end. The other batsman who contributed some notable runs on the board is Paunikar (43).

It may be mentioned here that even if the match ends in a draw and Assam will book a semi final berth with three points. However, if Vidarbha manage to earn first innings lead, Assam will have to make way for them.

Scorecard

Assam 1st innings: 392-8 dec

Vidarbha 1st innings : AV Kolhar c Tarjinder Singh b Konwar 21 AV Ubarhande c Saikia b Ahmed 16 AS Naidu c Aziz b Konwar 7 R Jangid c Sinha b Konwar 13 RS Paradkar not out 58 AG Paunikar lbw b Konwar 43 HV Shitoot c Goswami b Konwar 4 AMI Sheikh not out 3 Extras (b 4, lb 8, nb 3) 15 Total (6 wickets; 66 overs) 180

Fall of wickets: 1-37 , 2-51 , 3-62 , 4-71 , 5-148 , 6-158

Bowling: AN Ahmed 17-5-42-1 S Tarafdar 9-5-16-0 DS Goswami 9-4-18-0 SV Bahutule 11 -1-33-0 A Konwar 20-2-59-5. THE SENTINEL