Baroda take overall lead to 296 on day 3 against Saurashtra

Rajkot: Baroda took an upper hand by extending their overall lead to 296 as they reached 207 for six in their second innings at the end of day three in their Ranji Trophy Group B match against Saurashtra on Tuesday.

Despite Saurashtra medium pacer Jaydev Unadkat taking four wickets in Baroda`s second innings, the visitors, who had a crucial 89-run first innings lead, ended the day in a comfortable position. Pinal Shah (31) and Utkarsh Patel (31) were the unbeaten batsmen at the crease at the Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) stadium at Khandheri here. Baroda lost opener Dhiren Mistry (10) and one-down batsman Kedar Devdhar (21) early and it looked as if Saurashtra would bounce back. But first innings centurion -- Saurabh Wakaskar (69 runs, 98b, 5X4,1X6) and Aditya Waghmode (28) -- added 74 runs for the third wicket to take the match away from the home team. A dramatic collapse engineered by Unadkat again pushed Baroda on to the backfoot. In quick succession he dismissed Wakaskar, Waghmode, Irfan Pathan (0) and Yusuf Pathan (17) to leave Baroda reeling 158 for 6. From 125 for two they suddenly lost four wickets for just 33 runs. But Pinal Shah and Utkarsh (batting 31) made sure that there was no further damage as they added 49 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket. Unadkat was the most successful bowler taking four for 30, while Vishal Joshi claimed two for 46. Earlier, resuming at 215 for six, Baroda spinners Utkarsh Patel and Murtua Vahora picked up wickets at regular intervals to wrap up Saurashtra for 311. Patel, who had grabbed three wickets yesterday, today removed overnight batsman Arpit Vasavada (29) and Vishal Joshi (0) in quick succession, while Vahora clean bowled Makawana (30). Dharmendra Jadeja (44) and Unadkat (15 not out) frustrated Baroda`s bowlers by adding 53 runs for the last wicket and helped Saurashtra cross 300-run mark. Utkarsh Patel was wrecker-in-chief, taking five for 70, while Vahora picked up three for 55. Brief Scores: Baroda 400 & 207 for 6 (Saurabh Wakaskar 69; Jaydev Unadkat 4/30, Vishal Joshi 2/46). Saurashtra: 311 (Sheldon Jackson 74, Bhushan Chauhan 49, Utkarsh Patel 5/70).