Orissa scores 186 for seven against Asom

Cuttack, Jan 11 (UNI) Host Orissa struggled to reach 186 for seven in reply to Asom's first innings total of 235 all out on the second day of their Ranji Trophy semi final match played at the Barbati Stadium here today.

In a day which saw eleven wickets tumbling and the ball dominating, Orissa were 49 runs short of the first innings total posted by Asom.

Asom bowlers fought back claiming wickets at regular intervals including those of former test opener Shib Sundar Das, Rasmi Ranjan Parida and Prabhanjan Mallick.

Das, who had scored a triple century in the previous Ranji trophy match, was dismissed by Pritam Das for a mere 13 runs. Barring Niranjan Behera none of the Orissa batsmen survived the Asom attack for long. Behera scored 57 runs before being claimed by Anand Kati.

At close of play, Haladhar Das was unbeaten with 39 runs and Saurav Sehgal had not opened his account. Right arm first bowler Pritam Das claimed three for 60 runs while Dheraj Gowsami took two for 41 runs.

Much depends on Haladhar tomorrow to see Orissa cross the first innings target of235.

Earlier, resuming their overnight score of 209 for six, Asom could add only 26 runs before being bundled out by the orissa bowlers.

Debashis Mohanty, who had taken three wickets yesterday, claimed two more to return with figures of five for 66. Sukanta Khatua was the other successful bowler claiming three for 44 runs.

Brief Score: Asom 1st Innings 235 all out (Tazinder Singh 43, Nishant Bordoloi 40, Debashis Mohanty 5 for 66, Sukant Khatua 3 for44 ) Orissa Ist Innings 186 for seven ( Prabhanjan Mallick 57, Haladhar Das 39 not out, Pritam Das 3 for 60 and Dhiraj Goswami 2 for 41) UNI