J&K tail steers team to competitive score

The tail of Jammu and Kashmir helped the team post a competitive first innings score of 334 on the second day of the four-day Ranji Trophy Group C match against Andhra here today.
In reply, Andhra started off well with a brisk 41-run first wicket stand before they lost the wickets of openers K S Bharat for 31 and D B Prashanth Kumar for 24 to end the day at 72 for two, 262 runs behind their rivals' first innings total at the Brabourne Stadium.
Bharat hit six fours before losing his wicket to Umar Nazir, while Kumar batted a bit more patiently in making 24 only to depart at the fag end of the day, dismissed by Parvez Rasool.

The unconquered Andhra batsmen at stumps were captain G Hanuma Vihari (16) and night watchman Bhatt (0).
Earlier, J&K resumed at the overnight 205 for six and with useful contributions from the lower order took the total past the 300 mark.
Number 7 batsman Bandeep Singh, who was not out 14 last evening, made 63 which was the second highest of the innings, in a stubborn stay lasting 201 balls before he was the ninth batsman out at 323.

Wicketkeeper Punit Bisht (20), Ram Dayal (42 in 115 balls) and Samiullah Beigh (20 not out) resisted the Andhra bowlers to help the side cross the 300 mark.

In fact, the last four wickets of J&K added 148 runs after the fall of top-scorer and opener Shubham Khajuria for 90 at 186.
For Andhra, medium pacer Siva Kumar and left arm spinner Bhargav Bhatt claimed four wickets each, while opening bowler P Vijay Kumar bagged two.
Brief scores:
J&K 1st innings: 334 (S Khajuria 90, P Rasool 45, Bandeep Singh 63, Ram Dayal 42; Siva Kumar 4/49, B Bhatt 4/122).
Andhra 1st innings: 72/2 (K S Bharat 31).