Ranji: Nadeem leads Jharkhand to innings win over J&K

Captain Shahbaz Nadeem spun a web around Jammu & Kashmir batsmen with stunning match figures of 9-104 as Jharkhand scored a comfortable innings and 31 run win over the hosts on the penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match, in Jammu on Sunday.

After returning with figures of 3-50 in the first innings, left-arm spinner Nadeem once again starred with the ball and scalped six wickets for 54 runs to bowl out Jammu and Kashmir for 152 runs in their second essay.

In reply to Jammu and Kahsmir's 195, Jharkhand ended their first innings at 377 after resuming at the overnight score of 354 for eight.

Rameez Nemat (75), Saurabh Tiwary (72) and wicket-keeper Shiv Gautam (80) made crucial contributions in the first innings to put Jharkhand in the drivers.

Starting their second essay and trailing Jharkhand by 182 runs, Jammu and Kashmir batsmen surrendered in front of Nadeem to be bundled out for 152, thereby losing their Ranji opener by an innings and 31 runs with a complete day's play still remaining in the match.

Apart from Nadeem, pacer Jaskaran Singh (2/15) scalped two wickets, while Shankar Rao and Sunny Gautam acounted for one Jammu and Kashmir batsman each.

For Jammu and Kashmir, Parvez Rasool top-scored in the second innings with 31, while Hardeep Singh made 29.

Himachal on verge of victory against Kerala

In another Group C match, Himachal Pradesh rode on a strong batting performance to stand on the verge an innings victory over Kerala at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Nadaun.

After Paras Dogra's 121 on Saturday, Amit Kumar (101) and Rishi Dhawan (102 not out) slammed centuries to propel Himachal to 536 for six declared in their first innings in reply to Kerala's 229.

At the draw of stumps on day three, Kerela are tottering at 28 for three in their second essay, still trailing Himachal by 279 runs with a full day's play remaining.

Left-arm pacer Mohinder Sharma (2/1) accounted for two wickets, while Vikramjeet Malik picked up the other Kerela batsmen to be fall on the day.

For Kerala, Vasudevan Jagadeesh was not out on six.

Brief Scores:

Jammu & Kashmir: 195 and 151 all out in 49 overs (Parvez Rassol 31, Hardeep Singh 29; Shahbaz Nadeem 6/54).

Jharkhand: 377 all out in 120.5 overs (Shiv Gautam 80, Rameez Neemat 75, Saurabh Tiwary 72; Parvez Rassol 3/96).

Kerala (1st innings): 229 and 28 for three in eight overs (Sony Cheruvathur 18; Mohinder Sharma 2/1).

HP 1st innings: 536 for six decl in 158 overs (Paras Dogra 121, Amit Kumar 101, Rishi Dhawan 102 not out; PU Anthaf 2/109).

Services take control against Andhra

Shadab Nazar's unbeaten half century down the order and some impressive bowling by Services helped them take control of their Group C Ranji Trophy match against Andhra here today.

After putting up 297 on the board in their first innings, Services had Andhra stuttering at 87 for six, a deficit of 210 runs.

Yadav struck 56 off 72 balls and hit seven fours and a six. Rajat Paliwal had hit 72 yesterday, the match's best score so far.

Suraj Yadav took two wickets and there was one apiece for Nazar and Muzzaffaruddin Khalid at the Rural Development Trust stadium.

At stumps on the third day, opener Hemal Watekar was batting on 30 and Syed Sahabuddin was giving him company on three.

For Services, T Atchuta Rao and D Shivkumar returned with three wickets each, and Sahabuddin picked up two.

Brief scores:

Services: 297 all out in 119 overs (Rajat Paliwal 72, Shadab Nazar not out 56, Muzzaffaruddin Khalid 43; D Shikumar 3/53, T Atchuta Rao 3/73, Syed Sahabuddin 2/70).

Andhra: 87 for six in 43 overs (Hemal Watekar 30 not out; Suraj Yadav 2/21).