Vijay, Badri help TN take lead

Chennai, Jan 11 (UNI) A fine century by opener M Vijay (121) and his 174-run third wicket stand with skipper S Badrinath (89) helped Tamil Nadu gain a crucial first innings lead against Baroda at close on the second day of the final Elite Group-A Ranji Trophy league match here today.

At close, the home team had scored 267 for six with S Sharath (18 batting) and S Vidyut (two, batting).

Earlier, resuming their overnight score of 13 for two, Tamil Nadu owed a great deal to M Vijay (280 balls, 15x4, 1x6) and Badrinath (214 balls, 11x4), who applied themselves by adding invaluable runs for the third wicket.

However, the exit of Badrinath, saw Tamil Nadu lose the wickets of Hemang Badani (19), Vijay and Sathish (7) in quick succession, before Sharath and Vidyut overhauled Baroda's first innings score of 263.

For Baroda, off-spinner Yusuf Pathan claimed three wickets and speedster Irfan Pathan bagged two.

Following is the scoreboard: Baroda (first innings): 263 Tamil Nadu (first innings): Dinesh Karthik run out 1 M Vijay b Yusuf Pathan 121 R Prasanna b Irfan Pathan 0 S Badrinath c Martin b Yusuf Pathan 89 Hemang Badani b Yusuf Pathan 19 S Sharath (batting) 18 R Sathish b Irfan Pathan 7 S Vidyut (batting) 2 Extras (b-6, lb-3, nb-1) 10 Total 267 for six in 102 overs.

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-3, 3-177, 4-221, 5-248, 6-261, Bowling: Irfan Pathan 18-2-39-2 R B Patel 14-4-25-0 R V Pawar 22-6-68-0 Yusuf Pathan 29-7-64-3 A P Bhoite 19-5-62-0 UNI