Andhra earn three points, Himachal settle for one

Visakhapatnam: Andhra settled for three points by the virtue if their first-innings lead in the Ranji Trophy Group C match against Himachal Pradesh that ended in a draw but not before some excitement as the visitors lost a clump of wickets with stumps in sight.

Chasing an unlikely target of 345, Himachal lost a few wickets towards the end of the fourth and final day with medium pacer Gonnabattula Chiranjeevi instilling some excitement, claiming three wickets between the 33rd and 35th overs. But Himachal had enough batsmen to survive until stumps were drawn. Until the mini collapse was triggered, Himachal were pretty well placed, riding on half-centuries from Paras Dogra (64) and Prashant Chopra (63). Earlier, Andhra resumed their second innings on 39 for one and the two overnight batsmen -- Prasanth Kumar (51) and Murumulla Sriram (101 not out) -- scored a half-century and an unbeaten hundred, respectively. Sriram was the key batsman, who struck 10 fours en-route to his maiden first-class ton and starred in two big stands -- 84 for the second wicket with Prasanth and 109 for the third wicket with Chiranjeevi, who was also useful with the bat. Chiranjeevi struck six fours and a six in his 54, as Andhra declared at 232 for three. Brief scores: Andhra: 417 (Prasanth Kumar 199; Rishi Dhawan 5/125) & 232 for three decl (Murumulla Sriram not out 101, GK Chiranjeevi 54). Himachal Pradesh: 305 (Nikhil Gangta 115, Vikramjeet Malik 83) & 154 for five (Paras Dogra 64, Prashant Chopra 63).