Behera ton helps Orissa reach 246/4 vs Saurashtra

Cuttack: Nataraj Behera cracked an unbeaten century as hosts Orissa reached 246 for four in the first innings of their Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra at Barabati stadium on Saturday.

Orissa still require 100 more runs to avoid a follow-on. Behera displayed steady batting to grab 112 runs and was still at crease at close of play on the third day. Behera`s 112 included 15 hits to the fence and also a six. he batted for 462 minutes. Opener Bikash Pati scored an useful 43 with the help of seven boundaries. He faced 80 balls during his 127 minute stay before being bowled by left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat. Adding stability to the team`s batting, Biplab Samantray scored 41 runs, while Abhilash Mallick remained unbeaten on 35. For Saurashtra, Unadkat scalped two wickets giving away 52 runs, while Sandeep Manyar captured one wicket for 31 runs and Haladhar Das had been run out. Brief scores: Saurashtra first innings: 545 all out (Ravindra Jadeja 314, Bhushan Chauhan 83, Pratik Mehta 39, Basant Mohanty 4/86). Orissa 1st innings: 246/4 (Nataraj Behera 112 not out, Bikash Pati 43, Biplab Samantray 41, Abhilash Mallick 35 not out; Yaydev Unadkat 2/52). PTI