M S K Prasad shines as Andhra crawl

M S K Prasad's unbeaten 68 enabled Andhra Pradesh reach 162 for three against Mumbai on the penultimate day of the 'Elite' Group A Ranji Trophy in Vijaywada on Wednesday.

Resuming at 15 for no loss, Andhra, who require 355 runs to avoid the follow-on, after Mumbai piled 504 for six declared in their first innings, managed only 147 runs on the third day.

The two openers M Suresh and Prasad added 48 runs for the first wicket before the former was out after scoring 21 runs. He was snapped by B Thakker off Nilesh Kulkarni.

At lunch Andhra were 63 for one in 51 overs.

Andhra, who reached the 100-run mark in 69.1 overs, took tea at 130 for one in 81 overs.

After the break, Amit Pathak (40), who added 87 runs for the second wicket with his captain, was dismissed, caught by Kulkarni off Sairaj Bahutule. His 194-minute knock contained four boundaries and came from 152 balls.

Prasad, who faced 262 balls for his 68, then added 22 runs with next man Venugopal Rao (17).

At close, H Watekar, on three, was giving company to Prasad.

For Mumbai, Nelesh Kulkarni, Sairaj Bahutule and Usman Maulvi took one wicket each.

Mumbai (1st innings): 504/6 declared

Andhra Pradesh (1st innings):
M Suresh c Thaker b Kulkarni 21
M S K Prasad battting 68
A Pathak c Kulkarni b Bahutule 40
Venu Gopala Rao lbw Usman 17
H Watekar batting 3

Extras: (b-2, lb-4, nb-7) 13

Total: (for 3 wkts, 106 overs) 162

Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-135, 3-157.

Bowling: N Kulkarni 36-13-37-1, Sairaj Bahutule 36-14-54-1, Omkar Kulkarni 7-2-13-0, V Kambli 2-0-5-0, Usman Maulvi 15-7-20-1, R More 10-0-27-0.