PANAJI
Goa were looking to avert an innings defeat at draw of stumps on Day 2 of the Vijay Merchant U-16 (2017-18) Round IV South Zone clash against Kerala at Gymkhana Ground, Hyderabad on Friday. Goa were 17/1 and still 296 runs in arrears going into the final day.
Continuing from their overnight score of 302/2, Kerala captain Varun Nayanar, in company of Akshay TK, added another 50 runs to their total until Akshay was dismissed for a well-made 53 (70b, 6x4) to end a fine 97-run four-wicket partnership.
Nayanar fell soon after for 87 (144b, 6x4). From 356/4 in 100.3 overs, Kerala U-16s stepped up the gas in quest of quick runs and an imminent declaration. Kerala eventually declared at 443/8 after 119 overs.
The Goa attack cut a sorry picture. Shadab Khan was their best bowler on view with 3/156 but at a pricey 4.33 runs per over. In their first innings, the much vaunted Goa batting unit abjectly folded up for 130 in 51.4 overs.
Only opener, Shvbham Sanjay Gajinkar accorded himself well for a sound 55 (105b, 10x4) until he became one of the victims of Kerala star bowler Jaseer C N who ran through Goa's batting with 5/45 from 18 overs.
With Goa trailing by a mammoth 313 runs, the opposition enforced the follow-on. And by the second over they lost their lone spark in the first essay, Gajinkar for 3 off the bowling of Akshay TK. The other opener Anish Verlekar on 10 and new batter S Palkar on 3 saw off the remaining three overs to end the day at 17/1.
