Ricky’s unbeaten 70 gives Andhra upper hand

ONGOLE (ANDHRA PRADESH): Ricky Bhui cracked an unbeaten 70 to guide Andhra to 249 for six against Delhi at stumps on Day 2 of their Group A Ranji Trophy match on Wednesday.

Resuming at 16/2, Andhra rode on Ricky’s unconquered 164-ball 70 and some useful contributions from Manish Golamaru

(42), skipper GH Vihari (38) and Karan Shinde (48) to take a first-innings lead of 34 runs.

At stumps, Girinath Reddy (11) was giving company to Ricky with two more days.

For Delhi, fast bowler Navdeep Saini claimed two wickets on Wednesday to go with the one which he took on the opening day on Tuesday. Pawan Suyal also accounted for two wickets and Simarjeet Singh (1/69) took one but the Delhi bowlers were guilty of giving away as many as 30 extras.

On Tuesday, Andhra had dismissed Delhi for 215 but found themselves in a spot of bother when they were reduced to 16 for two at stumps.

Overnight batsmen Manish Golamaru and Vihari added 78 runs after resumption of the innings to take Andhra close to the 100-mark.

MITHUN TAKES SIX FOR KARNATAKA

HUBLI: Karnataka pacer Abhimanyu Mithun scalped six wickets, as the hosts bundled out Uttar Pradesh for 281 on the second day of their Group B Ranji game on Wednesday.

However, UP bowlers made inroads and left Karnataka teetering on 168/4 despite a strong opening stand. The hosts still trail by 113 runs. The fight on

Thursday will be to grab the first-innings lead.

Uttar Pradesh resumed their innings on 232/5, with Mohammed Saif (80) and Saurabh Kumar (27) at the crease. However, UP lost Saurabh early as he gave a catch to J Suchith off pacer Ronit More, as the visitors lost their sixth wicket with 250 on the board.

Then Mithun (6/60) ran through their lower order.