Orissa find themselves in comfort

With the help of a timely unbeaten half century by SS Raul, Orissa placed themselves in the safety zone when they ended the second day at 147 for 2 in reply to Bihar's first innings score of 292 in their East Zone Ranji Trophy match at the Keenan Stadium in Jamshedpur on Monday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 190 for 6, Bihar's Dhoni (39) and Vikash Kumar (20) put on 45 runs for the seventh wicket. Thereafter the other two lower order batsmen M Diwakar (25) and Shahid Khan (21) helped the score along to 292. Debasish Mohanty (3 for 41) and Barick (3 for 97) were the successful bowlers for Orissa.

The Orissa openers BBCC Mahapatra (25) and P Das (39 not out) gave a good start for the visitors, adding 36 runs in just 7.3 overs. Mahapatra was the first to be dismissed when he was trapped leg before to Dhiraj Kumar. Then P Mullick (20) joined Das to take the score to 63. Mullick fell in the 21st over for a catch to rajiv Kumar off Dhiraj. The fall of Mullick brought SS Raul (51) to the crease and he accompanied Das to the close of play. Orissa still need to go a long way, traling by 145 runs with eight of their wickets intact.