Kerala take first-innings lead over Tripura

Abhishek Hegde (82) and Rohan Prem (58) struck half-centuries each as Kerala declared their first innings at 301 for nine, taking a 122-run lead before reducing Tripura to 84 for two in their second essay on day three of the Group C Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.
Starting the day on 96 for one, Kerala rode on overnight batsman Hegde, who resumed on 52, Amit Verma (42) and Prem's crucial knocks to cross 300-run mark and take a huge first innings lead.
While Hegde's innings came off 209 balls, studded with 12 fours, Prem took 91 deliveries for his 58 that included seven boundaries.

For Tripura, medium-pacer Rana Dutta was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 45.
Tripura, who were bundled out for a meagre 179 in their first innings, did not have an ideal start to their second essay also as they lost two wickets in 34.3 overs.
At stumps, Tripura were still tailing by 38 runs with eight wickets in hand with opener Bishal Ghosh unbeaten on 47.

Brief scores:
Tripura: 179 & 84 for 2 in 34.3 overs (Bishal Ghosh 47 not out).
Kerala: 301 for 9 decl. In 109.3 overs (Abhishek Hegde 82, Rohan Prem 58, Amit Verma 42; Rana Dutta 4/45).