Karnataka make strong reply against Assam

The trusted batting line-up of Karnataka came good as the six time champions made 310 for nine in reply to Assam's 321 at close of play on the second day of the Ranji Trophy pre-quarter final match at the Nehru stadium in Guwahati on Sunday. The players who shone were opener J Arun Kumar (64), Barrington Rowland (66) and stumper VST Naidu (50).

Resuming at 18 for no loss, Karnataka openers Arun Kumar and Mithun Beerala (12) took the score to 34 when the latter was caught behind by VR Samanth off medium pacer Javed Zaman. Barrington and Arun Kumar then forged a 74-run second wicket partnership to help Karnataka consolidate. Arun Kumar was the batsman to be dismissed in the 30th over. During his 133-minute stay, Arun Kumar faced 98 balls and hit 12 boundaries and a six. Former Indian middle order batsman Vijay Bharadwaj did not last long. In the 40th over, he was caught by G Ghosh off Sukhvinder Singh after he struggled for 26 balls to score one run.

Naidu joined Barrington and the two added 88 runs for the fourth wicket. This brought up the Karnataka 200. Naidu was the next to be sent back to the pavilion when he was trapped leg before by Zaman in the 65th over. New batsman Anil Kumar (0) departed no sooner than he came in. He was bowled by experienced left arm spinner Sunil Subramaniam. Shortly afterwards, Barrington was caught by skipper Zuffri off Dutta in the 77th over. Barrington, during his 278-minute stay in the middle, faced 197 balls and hit seven boundaries.

Karnataka skipper Sunil Joshi (33) held one end to help Karnataka reach 272. Then AR Yalvigi (37) and MA Khan (9) held on to take their team to stumps.