Bowlers lead Kerela`s fightback against Services

Kochi: Kerala bowlers struck at regular intervals to help their team stage a fightback and reduce Services to 89 for five on day three of their Group A Ranji Trophy Plate division match on Saturday.

Services` Sarabjit Singh (16) and S M Swain (19) were at the crease when stumps were drawn. The visitors got off to a good start in their second essay with openers P P Desai (26) and Jasvir singh (15) putting on 40 runs for the first wicket. But, Kerala medium-pacers rallied brilliantly to claim five wickets, conceding just 17 runs, to leave Services tottering at 57 for 5. The unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 32 between Sarabjit and Swain saved the day for Services. For Kerala, debutant Manukrishnan (2/11) and Prashant (2/13) excelled with the ball. Earlier, resuming at 121 for 4, Kerala managed to post 249 before being all out. Kerala`s hope of taking the first innings lead ended when all-rounder Sony Cheruvathur, who scored a breezy 34 off 33 balls, was run out. For Services, medium-pacer Nishan Singh finished with four for 40. Brief scores: Services: 253 all out and 89 for 5 (P P Desai 26, Manukrishnan 11/2, Prashant 13/2) Kerala : 249 all out (Jagadeesh 50, S K Cheruvathur 34, Yadav 2/66, Nishan Singh 4/40, Amrinder Singh 2/55). PTI