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Bowlers call the shots

Special Correspondent

Baroda: Tamil Nadu shot back, after being bowled out for 117, to keep Baroda within striking distance at 124 for five in the first innings at close on day one of the four-day Ranji Elite Group ‘B’ league match.

Palani Amarnath sowed doubts in batsmen’s minds, mixing outswingers with balls jagging back on a Motibaug wicket offering bounce and lift right through the day. There was no devil in the pitch, as the compact Connor Williams (31 off 88 balls) and the free-stroking Arun Karthik (26 off 57 balls) showed the virtue of patience and shot selection.

The two batsmen were the exceptions. The former played close to the body and punished bowlers erring in length.

The latter picked the line early and found the fence regularly.

Laxmipathy Balaji provided the early breakthrough, scalping Parab while Amarnath removed Williams, Bilakhia and Solanki.

Yusuf Pathan (31 n.o., 53 balls, two fours) and Pinal Shah (22 n.o.) were at the crease.

Irfan pulls out

Earlier, left-arm spinner Rajesh Pawar replaced Irfan Pathan, who pulled out citing stiff joints.

In keeping with coach Paras Mhambrey’s policy of giving youth a chance to gain first-class experience, Salim Veragi and Ajitesh Argal (three for 39) operated with the new ball on a lively track.

Veragi (five for 24) and Argal (three for 39) justified their selection with the latter helping himself to a hat-trick against the tailenders.

The scores:

Tamil Nadu —1st innings: K.B. Arun Karthick c Swapnil b Pawar 26, A. Mukund c Parab b Veragi 19, R. Prasanna (run out) 10, D. Karthik c Gaekwad b Argal 18, S. Vidyut c Parab b Argal 7, S. Kumar lbw b Argal 5, R. Ashwin lbw b Veragi 15, C. Ganapathy (not out) 0, C. Suresh b Veragi 15, L. Balaji c Gaekwad b Veragi 1, P. Amarnath b Veragi 1. Extras (lb-5, w-3) 8. Total (41 overs) 117.

Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-51, 3-60, 4-74, 5-93, 6-96, 7-113, 8-117, 9-117.

Baroda bowling: Veragi 11.2-4-24-5, Argal 9.4-2-39-3, Pawar 14-2-38-1, Pathan 3-0-7-0, Singh 3-2-4-0.

Baroda — 1st innings: C. Williams lbw b Amarnath 31, S. Parab c D. Karthik b Balaji 0, A. Bilakhia lbw b Amarnath 2, R. Solanki c Ganapathy b Amarnath 4, S. Gaekwad b Ganapathy 22, Y. Pathan (batting) 31, Pinal Shah (batting) 22. Extras (b-4, lb-2, nb-6) 12. Total (for five wkts. in 44 overs) 124.

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-17, 3-23, 4-60, 5-67.

Tamil Nadu bowling: Balaji 10-1-42-1, Amarnath 16-6-39-3, Ganapathy 11-3-15-1, Ashwin 5-1-15-0, Suresh 2-0-7-0.

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