Surendran, Manoharan hit half-centuries

Opener Nikhilesh Surendran and Vinoop Manoharan struck half-centuries as Kerala were dismissed for 273 against Goa on the opening day of their Ranji Trophy Group C match here today.
In reply, Goa were 11 for 0 with Amogh Desai (2 batting) and Swapnil Asnodkar (9 batting) in the middle when stumps were drawn for the day.
Electing to bat after winning the toss, Kerala got off to a poor start as medium pacer Buddhadev Mangaldas sent back opener VA Jagadeesh (2) and Robert Fernandez (6) in quick succession.
Surendran and Rohan Prem stabilised the innings with a 56-run paertnership for the third wicket but Amit Yadav had Prem caught by Sagun Kamat for 20.

Surendran reached his half-century as wickets fell at the other end. He also stitched a crucial 43-run stand for the fourth wicket with skipper Sachin Baby before falling to Hanumant Gadekar for 84.
The opener faced 120 balls in his innings and hit 16 fours.

Next man-in, P Anthaf did not last long and was dismissed by Jakati for 4.
Baby then found an ably ally in Manoharan and both took the team past 200-mark.
The duo put on 96 runs for the sixth-wicket stand as Kerala looked to recover from early jolts.
However, Baby was dismissed by Amogh Desai just after completing his half-century.

It was then left to Manoharan to provide respectability to the score as he waged a lone battle and scored a patient 151-ball 87.
For Goa, Mangaldas and Jakati accounted for three wickets each while Gadekar picked up two wickets.
Brief Scores: Kerala 273 all out in 83 overs (V Manoharan 87, N Surendran 84; Mangaldas 3/66, Shadab Jakati 3/72).