Jalaj Saxena, not for the primary time, spun issues round for Kerala when the going was getting powerful. On the third day of the Ranji Trophy match on the JSCA Stadium, host Jharkhand was nicely positioned at 316 for 4.
With the irrepressible and in-form Ishan Kishan (132, 195b, 9×4) and the vastly skilled Saurabh Tiwary (97, 229b, 8×4) concerned in an extended partnership, Kerala’s first innings whole of 475 was not trying secure. But Jalaj clean-bowled Tiwary to finish the stand when it was price 202. In his subsequent over, he had Kishan caught behind by Sanju Samson.
Before lengthy, the Jharkhand innings folded, because it misplaced its final six wickets for an addition of 24. Jalaj completed with 5 for 75 from 37.3 overs. It was his twenty third five-wicket haul in First Class cricket. There had been three wickets for Basil Thampi.
Though it was a exceptional restoration staged by Tiwary and Kishan, who got here along with the rating on 114 for 4, the house facet have to be feeling upset that the innings ended so rapidly after the dismissals. Earlier, it had resumed on the in a single day 87 for 3.
“It is a hard wicket and there was not much help for the bowlers,” Jalaj advised Sportstar. “I am glad that we could get the first-innings lead, which could become crucial. We would try to force a win, as there are another 90 overs still remaining in the match.”
Kerala will go into the ultimate day at 60 for one – a lead of 195 — with debutant Shaun Roger batting on 28. He got here within the fourth over following the uncommon failure of Rohan Kunnummal. The prolific opener was bowled by left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem for six.
SCORES
Kerala — 1st Innings: 475.
Jharkhand — 1st Innings: Nazim Siddiqui lbw b Vaisakh 24, Utkash Singh b Thampi 3, Kumar Suraj lbw b Vaisakh 28, Virat Singh c Fanoos b Thampi 30, Saurabh Tiwary b Jalaj 97, Ishan Kishan c Samson b Jalaj 132, Kumar Kushagra b Jalaj 7, Shahbaz Nadeem c Shoun b Jalaj 4, Rahul Shukla c Shoun b Thampi 1, Manishi (not out) 2, Ashish Kumar c Fanoos b Jalaj 1; Extras (b-6, lb-2, nb-2, w-1) 11; Total (in 105.3 overs): 340.
Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-51, 3-56, 4-114, 5-316, 6-329, 7-336, 8-337, 9-337.
Kerala bowling: Thampi 12-1-55-3, Jalaj 37.3-9-75-5, Fanoos 6-2-19-0, Sijomon 18-1-80-0, Vaiskah 27-4-81-2, Akshay Chandran 5-0-22-0.
Kerala — 2nd Innings: Rohan Prem (batting) 25, Rohan Kunnummal b Nadeem 6, Shoun Roger (batting) 28; Extras (lb-1) 1; Total (for one wkt. in 15 overs): 60.
Fall of wicket: 1-12.
Jharkhand bowling: Ashish 4-0-14-0, Nadeem 7-0-27-1, Manishi 3-0-13-0, Utkarsh 1-0-5-0.