Mistry`s 118 help Baroda take 1st innings lead over Services

Vadodara: A fine knock of 118 runs by Dhiren Mistry helped Baroda grab a vital first inning lead of 178 runs over Services in their Ranji Trophy Group B match at the Reliance ground here on sunday.

Mistry, who made Ranji debut this season, today made his second century, which was studded with 21 boundaries off 227 balls. The opener was in the crease for 79.2 overs out of the total 106.2 overs that Baroda batted in their first innings. It was a good delivery from Nishan Singh that saw Mistry back into the pavillion after being caught by Yashpal Singh with Baroda at 256 runs. M Y Vahora too contibuted with a 46-run innings down the order as Baroda made 369 runs in reply to Services first inning total of 191 runs. At the close of second day`s play, Services were 2 for one in their second innings with opener Anshul Gupta (0) yet to open his account after the dismissal of Pratik Desai on the last delivery of the day. Resuming at 62 for no loss, Baroda lost their first wicket at a total of 92 runs when S P Wakaskar (38) was bowled by Shadab Nazar. Aditya Waghmode (29), Kedar Devdhar (33), Irfan Pathan (22) and skipper Yusuf Pathan (31) all got starts but they could not convert them into big scores. Pinal Shah (2) and Gagandeep Singh (1) then got out cheaply but Vahora, who was included in the team as a bowler, hit six fours and one six to take Baroda across the 350-mark. Brief score: Services: 191 & 2/1 (Pratik Desai 2, Munaf Patel 1/2) Baroda: 369 runs all out in 106.2 overs (D M Mistry 118, R R Kanojia 3/76, Shadab Nazar 3/107).