HP earn three points against Kerala

Having taken a massive 307-run first innings lead over Kerala, Himachal Pradesh gained three points in a drawn Group C Ranji Trophy tie on the fourth and the final day in Naduan, Himachal Pradesh.

After dismissing Kerala for 229 in the first innings, Himachal piled up a huge 536 for six declared and then reduced the visiting team to 256 for six in their second innings at the draw of stumps on Monday.

In a match that ended in a dull draw, century maker Rohan Prem was the lone saving grace as he scored an unbeaten 104 off 221 with the help of three boundaries and a six.

Resuming at 28 for three, overnight batsman VA Jagadeesh, who was unbeaten on six on Sunday, went on to score 36, while first innings centurion, Sanju Samson (30) also chipped in with some runs.

It was Rohan, who held on to his wicket at one end even as other batsmen kept falling at regular intervals.

Rohan, however, could find an able partner in Robert Fernandez (31) and the duo added 99 runs together for the sixth wicket to help their team from getting all out once again.

For Himachal Pradesh, Mohinderraj Sharma became the pick of the bowlers with figures of three for 45.

Brief scores:

Kerala: 229 & 256 for six (Rohan Prem not out 104, VA Jagadeesh 36; Mohinderraj Sharma 3/45).

Himachal Pradesh 1st innings: 536 for six declared.

Services take three points despite Andhra fightback

Andhra's lower-order batted with resolve to eke out a draw even as Services walked away with three points on the virtue of their first innings lead in their Ranji Trophy Group C match, in Anantapur on Monday.

Syed Sahabuddin struck an unbeaten half century and wicket-keeper Vamsi Krishna (20) and Atchuta Rao (22) showed a lot of determination while batting as they steered the side to a draw at Nehru Stadium.

Starting the day at a precarious 87 for six and trailing by 210 runs, Andhra ended their first innings at 251 all out in 102.1 overs in response to Services' 297.

Right-handed Sahabuddin (78 not out) and Krishna dug in to pull the side out of a rut with a 65-run stand for the eighth wicket.

Shadab Nazar broke the partnership by having Krishna caught by Yashpal Singh but Sahabuddin found able allies in Rao and then Rajesh Pawar (17) to take the team past 250-run mark.

Rao was scalped by Suraj Yadav while Pawar fell leg before to Nazar.

In their second essay, Services scored 59 for two in 21 overs after losing both the openers skipper Soomik Chatarjee (1) and Pratik Desai (2) cheaply.

Anshul Gupta (29) and Yashpal Singh (26) remained unbeaten at the crease.

Brief scores:

Services: 297 and 59 for two (Ansuhl Gupta 29; Duvvarapu Shivkumar 2/8).

Andhra: 251 all out (Syed Sahabuddin 78 not out, Hemal Watekar 45; Suraj Yadav 3/59, Shadab Nazar 3/49).

Points: Services 3, Andhra 1.