Kerala-Andhra match interestingly poised

Kochi: The Kerala-Andhra Pradesh Ranji Trophy Plate Group `A` match is interestingly poised, on a day which witnessed 21 wickets fall for 175 runs, at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Wednesday.

Resuming at the first innings score of 110/6, Kerala could add only 20 more runs before being all out for 130. Andhra, in turn, were bundled out for 74 in 36.1 overs. Kerala, who took a 56-run first innings lead, failed to consolidate their position as they lost wickets regularly to end the day at 81/7. Kerala are ahead by 137 runs, with two more days of play left. However, with the pitch assisting the spinners, it will not be an easy task for Andhra batsmen. Andhra medium pacer Atchuti Rao was the pick of the bowlers as he claimed 6/43, his best bowling performance bettering his previous 5/43. Medium pacer Sony Cheruvathur was the wrecker-in-chief for Kerala, when Andhra began their first innings. Cheruvathur bagged 6/25 and was ably supported by Parameswaran 2/13. This is the 45th time Andhra are getting out under 100 runs in an innings in Ranji Trophy and sixth time against Kerala and this is the second lowest score against Kerala. The previous being 33 all out at the same venue in 1997-98. Brief Scores: Kerala: 130 (Sachin Baby 36, RV Gomez not out 34, Atchuti Rao 6/43 Shankar Rao 2/10) and 81/7 (Rohan Prem 14, Sahabuddin 18/3, Shankar Rao 14/3) Andhra: 74 (Sivakumar 22, Sahabuddin 19, S K Cheruvathur 6/25, Parameswaran 2/13). PTI