With Kerala’s entry into the final already certain by the endof the second day, the last day’s play in their Coca Cola TrophySouth Zone (under-25) tournament group A game against Karnatakaat the Maharaja Jayamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Compex in
Partab Ramchand28-Apr-2000With Kerala’s entry into the final already certain by the endof the second day, the last day’s play in their Coca Cola TrophySouth Zone (under-25) tournament group A game against Karnatakaat the Maharaja Jayamarajendra Wodeyar Sports Compex in Bangalorewas devoid of much interest. Kerala, resuming at 410 for threein reply to Karnataka’s first innings total of 264, batted ontill they were all out for 615 in 157.2 overs. In the remainingtime, Karnataka scored 92 for two in their second innings.There was no respite for the beleaguered Karnataka bowlers evenon the final day. Overnight not out batsmen CM Shyam (90) andskipper NA Kudua (54) made their fourth wicket association worth94 runs off 18.2 overs. Kudua was in a particularly aggressive moodand his 54 was made off just 50 balls with eleven hits to theropes. Then Shyam and Ramakrishna prolonged Karnataka’s agonyby adding 88 runs for the sixth wicket off 22.4 overs. Shyam wasa trifle unlucky to miss his century by ten runs. He faced 179balls and hit 20 fours. Ramakrishna also made runs at a niftyrate hitting 42 off 64 balls with four fours and two sixes.F Muhammad, at No 9, made Karnataka’s misery complete by hitting20 off 22 balls with two fours and a six. S Rath was the onlybowler to stand up to the punishment and he was rewarded withfour wickets for 110 runs.The truncated Karnataka second innings saw openers Shyam Ponappa(47) and BA Vinay (23) putting on 72 runs off 16.3 overs. Rainforced an early closure. Kerala with ten points from twomatches formally qualified for the final where they will meetTamil Nadu. The three day match commences on Saturday.