The Mumbai batsmen exposed their inadequacies yet again today paving way for Vadodara's victory march which was 186 runs (from a possible 106 overs) away. The Mumbai bowlers, however, dealt a stern reminder of their abilities claiming opener Prayan Dave (1) and night-watchman Milap Mewada (6) before Connor Williams (12) and Jacob Martin (12) saw the day through with utmost caution.

Earlier, opener Wasim Jaffer's vigilant 90 (189b, 261m, 11x4) and skipper Vinod Kambli's cameo worth 54 (67b, 4x4, 2x6) were the sole exceptions inMumbai's second essay which followed a pattern akin to the first.

Jaffer and Kambli's fourth wicket alliance of 107 runs, provided succour after diminutive medium-pacer Yogendra Wakaskar's triple strikes had left Mumbai reeling at 45-3.

However, once Kambli fell to a tumbling catch by Laxmanan Sivaramakrishnan at slip, the innings lost way leaving Jaffer to wage a lone battle. The 22-year-old opener, who survived a vocal barrage while padding up to the medium-pacers earlier in the innings, eventually departed being adjudged leg before. Though the decision appeared a bit harsh on the batsman, Jaffer had managed to replenish his stocks which were on the downswing after a string of dismal displays.

The 21-year-old Wakaskar proved to be Mumbai's nemesis as he claimed four wickets to end up with a match haul of 9-119. Off-spinner Rayapeth Swaroop who claimed the prized scalp of Kambli, dismissed Sameer Dighe (3) and Sairaj Bahutule (0) in one over to finish with figures of 3-60. Leggie Sivaramakrishnan whodid little to justify his reputation, however captured his first wicket representing Vadodara with a full toss that marked tailender Abey Kuruvilla's tenure at the crease.

After the batsmen's failure, the onus is now on the Mumbai bowlers to redeem themselves. And if they accomplish in furnishing a victory, they would not only be assured of a berth in the Super League but also would be denting Vadodara's qualification chances. For, the other contenders Maharashtra (14 points from three matches) and Saurashtra (13 from three matches) too were on an equal footing prior to the fourth round matches that began on Monday.The West Zone Ranji standings (as on December 26): Maharashtra 14 points, Saurashtra 13, Vadodara 6 (all from three matches), Mumbai 11 from two matches and Gujarat 0 from two matches.

Scoreboard

Mumbai (1st innings): 172

Vadodara (1st innings): 203

Mumbai (2nd innings): Wasim Jaffer lbw b Wakaskar 90 (189b, 261m, 11x4), Amit Pagnis c Swaroop b Wakaskar 13 (15b, 25m, 3x4), JatinParanjape c Mewada b Wakaskar 3 (15b, 23m), Pravin Amre c Martin b Wakaskar (19b, 20m), Vinod Kambli c Sivaramakrishnan b Swaroop 54 (67b, 4x4, 2x6), Sameer Dighe c&b Swaroop 3 (7b, 5m), Sairaj Bahutule c Williams b Swaroop 0 (3b, 2m), Paras Mhambrey lbw b Tandon 15 (35b, 43m, 3x4), Abey Kuruvilla b Sivaramakrishnan 9 (41b, 63m, 1x4), Nilesh Kulkarni not out 10 (44b, 45m, 1x6), Manish Patel b Arothe 0 (5b, 3m); Extras: (4lb, 10nb) 14. Total: (all out in 72 overs, 307 minutes) 216

Fall of wickets: 1-17, 2-35, 3-45, 4-152, 5-156, 6-156, 7-188, 8-197, 9-215Bowling: Tandon 16-5-41-1 (2nb), Wakaskar 18-6-61-4 (7nb), Arothe 7-1-35-1, Swaroop 23-4-60-3 (1nb), Sivaramakrishnan 8-1-15-1

Vadodara (2nd innings): Prayan Dave lbw b Mhambrey 1 (7b, 10m), Connor Williams batting 12 (49b, 73m, 1x4), Milap Mewada c Kulkarni b Kuruvilla 6 (8b, 11m, 1x4), Jacob Martin batting 12 (34b, 50m, 2x4); Extras: (2nb) 2. Total: (for two wickets in 16 overs, 73 mins) 33

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-11

Bowling: Kuruvilla 7-1-18-1(1nb), Mhambrey 5-1-7-1 (1nb), Kulkarni 3-0-7-0, Patel 1-0-1-0.