October 6: ELF-Vengsarkar Academy, Mumbai took a commendable 265-run lead at the end of third day's play against Kamraj Kesri XI in the Pure Gold Cup Vidarbha Ranji Trophy Selection Trial Tournament here at the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) grounds today.At stumps, Elf were 145 without loss in their second innings. Openers Amol Rane and skipper Ojas Mehta were remained unbeaten at 65 and 76 respectively. Earlier, Kesri XI were dismissed at 307 conceding 120 runs lead for Elf.
Kesri XI, resuming at overnight score of 197 for three wickets, lost wickets early. Shailesh Harbade (63) could not add any run to his total and fell victim to Abhishek Jaywant. Harshal Shitoot played a key role in Kesri XI's total as he hit 47 runs, including seven boundaries but after his departure Jaywant ran through the Kesri XI, finishing with five wickets for 79 runs. C Wakharia grabbed four wickets conceding 56 runs. Bhushan Dharmik (24), A Patharkar (16) and Umesh Patil (13) were the other main scorers for KesriXI.
Elf Academy, in their second innings, started in professional manner as both the openers started attacking from the beginning. Mehta was dropped by A Patharkar when he was on 20. His knock of 76 include eight fours and two sixes, while Rane hit four boundaries and three sixes in his 65-run inning.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.