KALYANI (WB): Rain played spoilsport to Kerala’s hope of securing an outright win as they had to settle for three points by virtue of their first innings lead against Jammu and Kashmir in their Ranji Trophy group C match at Bengal Cricket Academy here today.
Following on, Jammu and Kashmir were tottering at 91 for four — trailing by 94 runs when rain saved them from an innings defeat halting the proceedings at 1.21 pm.
The final day’s play could not resume again and the match was called off at 4 pm with with Kerala getting 3 points from the game.
This was for the third consecutive day rain had halted the proceedings and J& K had a lucky escape with a point.
Wet outfield had forced a 30-minute delay this morning.
Starting on overnight score of 106 for 5 in first innings, J&K lost their remaining five wickets in 15 runs as Kerala enforced follow-on with a massive 205-run lead.
Kerala spinners took 8 wickets in J&K’s first innings and it was their left-arm orthodox K Monish who led the way with exceptional figures of 4/9 from his eight overs.
Iqbal Abdulla (3/36) and Jalaj Saxena (1/3) were the other two spinners who brought about opposition downfall for 121 in 44 overs.
Parveez Rasool’s boys began their second innings ominously when Basil Thampi bowled Adil Reshi for a duck to reduced them to 0/1.
Later left-arm spinner Abdulla (2/21) struck twice in two overs to reduce them to 91/4 in 31.3 overs when rain cut short a gripping finish.
Opener Shubham Khajuria remained steady at the other end with an unbeaten 39 (6×4).
Brief Scores: Kerala 1st Innings 306.
Jammu and Kashmir 1st Innings 121; 44 overs (K Monish 4/9, Iqbal Abdulla 3/36) and 2nd Innings 91/4; 31.3 overs (Shubham Khajuria 39 not out; Abdulla 2/21).
Points: Kerala 3. J and K 1. (AGENCIES)
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