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Match tantalisingly poised

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Both City and Combined Districts found heroes on Tuesday, the middle day of the three-day cricket match for the C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer Shield, to set up an intriguing tussle for the first innings lead on Wednesday morning.

Responding to Combined Districts’ 280, City ended day two on 235 for six in 79 overs. With the second new ball available after an over on Wednesday, Districts will look to left-arm seamer R. Suthesh, who was the wrecker-in-chief on Tuesday with four for 55.

Crucial

For City, the presence of C. Ganapathy is crucial. The 27-year-old opening bowler showcased his batting capability with an unyielding, unbeaten 58 at No. 7.

With Abhinav Mukund — hit on the right arm during the P. Shijit Chandran dismissal on Monday — unlikely to bat, City will require sensible batting from its lower-order to secure the lead.

Ashwin scalps five

Districts, resuming Tuesday on 263 for seven, lasted 42 minutes. R. Ashwin, who later contributed a hard-grafted 45, finished with five for 85 from 34.4 overs of off-spin.

Seamer L. Vignesh bagged three wickets.

In City’s reply, Suthesh struck in his first over, having K.H. Gopinath — opening in Abhinav’s absence — caught behind.

The 21-year-old then switched ends to effect a double strike. Suthesh sent N. Einstein’s off-stump cartwheeling before forcing the left-handed V. Maaruthi Raghav to edge the next ball to wicketkeeper Petson Mathews.

Relishing a challenge

The situation — 61 for four — was tailor-made for City skipper M. Vijay, who had watched the slump from the other end.

The opener, who has been selected to represent India ‘A’ in the two four-day games against New Zealand ‘A’, appears to relish challenges.

Exceptional in the final of the Buchi Babu tournament, Vijay batted crisply and decisively on Tuesday for his 93 (206m, 137b, 11x4, 3x6), adding 89 for the fifth wicket with Ashwin to rescue City. But, against the run of play, he perished to a loose shot — he was caught at mid-off off Suthesh.

Ashwin, who engaged in a fascinating duel with left-arm spinner C. Suresh, found a willing ally in Ganapathy.

The pair put on 57 for the sixth wicket before Districts captain V. Subramania Siva had Ashwin caught at the wicket with a delivery that left the right-hander.

The scores:

Combined Districts 280 in 102.4 overs (X. Thalaivan Sargunam 67, P. Shijit Chandran 51, E. Suresh 45, R. Ashwin five for 85) vs. City 235 for six in 79 overs (M. Vijay 93, R. Ashwin 45, C. Ganapathy 58 batting, R. Suthesh four for 55).

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