PANAJI
Top-order batsman Rohan Prem's resolute unbeaten 112 kept Kerala's prospects for a good first innings total alive as the home side went to stumps at 247-5 in 90 overs in the fourth round of the Ranji Trophy Elite Group C clash against Goa at the St Xavier's KCA Cricket Ground in Trivandrum on Tuesday.Prem, who struck a fine 77 in his last outing against Chhattisgarh here, held the Kerala first innings together with his 13th First Class century. The seasoned batsman who was on 112 (238b, 14x4, 1x6) at stumps had his captain, Shijumon Joseph on 2 for company.
Earlier on winning the toss, Kerala elected to bat. Rohan Kunnummal was the first to depart in the ninth over with the team score on 25, caught behind by Eknath Kerkar off Goa pace spearhead Lakshay Garg after making a quick-fire 20. The other opener, Rahul P who compiled 31 (66b, 2x4, 1x6) was caught by Amogh Desai off Shubham Desai, claiming his maiden First Class wicket as Kerala's score slipped to 74-2 in the 25th over.
At lunch, Kerala were 96/2 in 35 overs with Prem on 34 (78b, 6x4) joined by experienced middle-order batter, Sachin Baby on 4 off a painstaking 41 balls to do the repair work.
It required the part-time off breaks of Siddhesh Lad to end the Prem-Baby third-wicket alliance at 105 runs in 221 deliveries. Baby struck a patient 46 (118, 1x4, 2x6) before handing Amogh his second catch in the innings and Lad only his 7th First Class wicket.
The home side went to tea at 184-3 with Prem on a solid 75 (166b, 12x4) and Shoun Roger on 2. Shortly after tea, Roger perished for 6 caught by Darshan Misal off right-arm off break, Mohit Redkar. Kerala were in a spot of bother at 190-4 in 69 overs with the batting to come not among the runs.
Prem, shortly after drinks and in the 79th over ran a single off pacer Lakshay Garg to bring up a well-deserved 13th First Class century in 208 deliveries and in his 94th game at the level. Meanwhile, Akshay Chandran, who began the Ranji season with a sparkling 150 in Ranchi in the first round, made his next best of just 20 on Tuesday. He became Shubham Desai's second victim as Amogh held on to his third catch.
Kerala captain, Shijumon Joseph walked in with his side at 239/5 in the 84th over and calmly negotiated the few overs to stumps with the well-set Prem.
Shubham Desai, who came in the side as the third spinner for pacer, Felix Alemao impressed with 2-39 in 17 overs. The other change in the Goa XI was Ishaan Gadekar who earned his First Class cap and came in at the expense of opener, Sumiran Amonkar.
SCORES
Kerala 247 for 5 (Rohan Prem 112*, Sachin Baby 46, Shubham Desai 2-39) vs Goa
