Andhra set to take first innings lead against Goa

Visakhapatnam: A six-wicket haul by Duvvarapu Shivkumar helped Andhra reduce Goa to 285 for nine in their first innings on the third and penultimate day of their Group C Ranji Trophy match on Monday.

Goa are still trailing Andhra by 108 runs with just one wicket in hand. Hence, in all likely the hosts, who scored 393 in their first essay will take the lead and finish this game, heading for a draw, with three points. Starting the day on 72 for one, except for Ravikant Shukla, who top scored with 84 not out, none of the other visiting team batsmen could spend substantial time at the crease. The wickets kept falling at one end while Shukla fought a lone battle. Eventually, Shukla was left stranded on 84 not out off 181 balls, laced with eight fours and a six. Andhra bowlers wreaked havoc with Shivkumar finishing the day with impressive figures of six for 41, while T Atchuta Rao claimed two and KS Sahabuddin took one. Brief scores: Andhra 1st inngs: 393 Goa 1st inngs: 285 for nine in 111 overs (Ravikant Shukla not out 84; Duvvarapu Shivkumar 6/41, T Atchuta Rao 2/89). PTI