An unbeaten century by opener Conor Williams put Baroda comfortably at 267 for five on the opening day of their four-day Ranji Trophy Super League tie against Saurashtra in Rajkot on Friday.

Baroda, put in to bat, started their innings tentatively, losing openers Rishikesh Parab (7) and Ajit Bhoite (17), before Williams, with his skipper Jacob Martin, began the rescue work.

The duo stitched 133 runs for the third wicket before the skipper was bowled by Sandip Jobanputra. Martin scored 131-ball 64, which was punctuated with eleven fours.

Kiran Pawar was next to be dismissed, by Jobanputra, without scoring while Pinal Shah (15) gave a simple catch to Jobanputra at midwicket off tweaker Kamlesh Makwana.

But Williams stood like a rock, shouldering the responsibility with patience and aggression. He completed his century just before the stroke of tea with 15 boundaries.

He remained unbeaten on 146 (288b, 20x4) with Ketan Pancha at six.

For Saurashtra, Jobanputra was the most successful bowler claiming three for 57 while Sandil Natkan and Makwana took a wicket each.

Scorecard

Baroda 1st innings
R Parab c Jogiyani b Jobanputra 7
C Williams not out 146
A Bhoite c Shah b Natkan 17
J Martin b Jobanputra 64
K Powar lbw b Jobanputra 0
P Shah c Jobanputra b Makvana 15
K Panchal not out 6
Extras (lb 5, w 3, nb 4) 12
Total (5 wickets; 90 overs) 267     

Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-75, 3-208, 4-208, 5-252

Bowling: Jobanputra 25-4-57-3, Maniar 16-2-74-0, Natkan 7-0-20-1, Dhurv 15-2-41-0, Vaghela 1-0-6-0, Makvana 24-6-62-1, Kotak 2-1-2-0