Services struggling to avoid innings defeat
Delhi: Despite a valuable 60-run fifth wicket partnership between Abu Eric Samy and Saranjeet Singh, Services were struggling to avoid an innings defeat against Delhi on the third day of their North Zone Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday
Madhu Sanghi
27-Oct-1999
Delhi: Despite a valuable 60-run fifth wicket partnership between
Abu Eric Samy and Saranjeet Singh, Services were struggling to
avoid an innings defeat against Delhi on the third day of their
North Zone Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday.
Services, trailing by 303 runs after Delhi declared their first
innings at 444 for eight, were reeling at 140 for five in their
second innings, at close with Sarabjeet Singh, on 42, waging a
lone battle at the Harbax Singh stadium.
The hosts, who were shot out for a paltry 141 in their in their first
essay, still needed 163 runs to make Delhi bat again with only five
wickets intact.
Earlier, Manhas, who was 15 short of his century, completed his ton but
lost his overnight partner Rahul Sanghvi (25), bowled by off-spinner
M.V.Rao. Manhas continued his good work with Amit Bhandari (20 not
out) to take Delhi to 444 at the first drinks break when skipper Ajay
Sharma declared the innings. Manhas remained unbeaten at 125 with nine
hits to the ropes.
The Delhi bowlers were on fire in the first session but lost steam
once Abu Eric (39) and Sarabjeet Singh (42*) were at the crease.
Ajay Sharma was guilty of under-utilising Nikhil Chopra, who
sent down only three overs during the day.
The pitch at Harbaksh Stadium did not offer much assistance to
paceman, but Sharma continued with his seam duo instead of the
battery of spinners who could have explorted the pitch to their
advantage. Abu Eric and Sarabjeet Singh saved Services from actue
embarressment before Bhandari dismissed Eric to push
Services closer to defeat. Eric struck four boundaries during his 214
minute stay at the crease. Sarabjeet continued with his disciplined
vigil at the wicket and found an able partner in G.S.Thapa (7*).