PANAJI
Goa took the crucial first-innings lead -- however nominal it may be -- against Services but the hosts ended the third day with a lead of 101 runs with seven wickets in hand, in their Group D Ranji Trophy match at Palam ground in New Delhi on Saturday.
Ravi Chauhan was not out on 41 and wicket-keeper Nakul Verma unbeaten on 22, with their fourth-wicket partnership worth 30 runs already, taking Services to 108/3 at stumps in their second innings. Goan spinners Darshan Misal and Amulya Pandrekar picked up two and one wicket respectively.
Earlier, Goan first innings came to an end on 270 runs with wicket-keeper Keenan Vaz top-scoring with 70 runs. Resuming on the overnight position of 150/6, the visitors moved to 171 when Amogh Desai became the third Goan batsman to be run out. Amogh scored 52 runs off 148 balls, hitting four boundaries.
Keenan at the other end played well with the tail-enders, stitching important partnerships with his association with medium-pacer Felix Alemao putting on 50 runs for the ninth wicket. Felix batted for 60 deliveries for his 15 runs. Keenan went on to make 70 runs off 167 balls, hitting seven boundaries and was the last man to be dismissed. Debutant Heramb Parab at No. 11, was not out on 9.
Goa's innings folded up on 270 runs in 117.5 overs, giving them a nominal lead of seven runs over Services. Sachidanand Pandey recorded his best figures in his fledgling First-Class career with the 21-year-old right-arm medium-pacer taking five wickets for 61 runs for Services.
‘Mature innings'
Meanwhile, Goa coach Prakash Mayekar praised wicketkeeper-batsman Keenan for playing a "matured" knock that ensured the visitors first-innings lead over Services. However, the coach feels that the match situation is in the balance and any of the three results, are still possible on the fourth and final day on Sunday.
"Keenan's knock was unbelievable, like a matured batsman. He built up his innings with responsibility and got the tail playing with him. Keenan shielded Felix Alemao to start with. Felix then grew in confidence and applied himself very well, in the process. Even last-man Heramb Parab did his bit, as when Goa were nine down, we needed 21 runs to take first innings lead. Keenan and Heramb (9* off 18 balls) put on 27 runs taking Goa past their rivals," Mayekar told The Goan.
While Keenan might have been lucky when he was bowled off a no-ball in his twenties, the 26-year-old Margao cricketer worked hard later on to construct, what Mayekar describes as, "one of the best knocks by Keenan in his career so far".
According to Mayekar, Services looked very positive to start their second innings and it was the spin attack of Darshan Misal and Amulya Pandrekar, that was successful in applying the brakes on the rival batsmen. "It seems like Services may go on to play positively tomorrow as well and put us in, after the first session. The wicket is alright but the rough created by the bowlers' foot marks is prominent now. Anyways, we need to be positive and attack to start with to pick up early wickets," asserted Mayekar.
