BHUBANESWAR 14-Dec-2010 154
Host Orissa gained three points by virtue of taking a first innings lead of 81 runs against Himachal Pradesh in their four-day Cooch Behar Trophy (u-19) Plate group match, which ended in a high-scoring draw at Ravenshaw University ground, Cuttack today.
The match, however, became memorable because of an unbeaten double century by Orissa skipper Abhilash Mallick. His majestic knock of 252 not out was embellished with 36 boundaries and two sixes. Abhilash compiled 180 runs for the sixth wicket with Agniv Sarkar, who scored a half-century (60).
In reply to the visitors` healthy first innings total of 359, Orissa rode on Mallick`s epic knock to declare at 440 for nine. After conceding the first innings lead, Himachal Pradesh finished the match making 257 for two in the second innings and settled with one point. Himachal batsmen spoiled Orissa`s chances of an outright win as S Sharma scored an unbeaten century and skipper A Rana and R Kolshi slammed a half-century each.
This was Orissa`s fourth match in group `A` and they now have 12 points with one win and three draws. Mallick and his teammates would play their last league match against Rajasthan from December 18 to 21.
BRIEF SCORE:
Himachal Pradesh (1st innings): 359/10 in 129.3 overs (Abhimanyu Rana 96 n.o, N Gangta 80, P Chopra 46, Rahul Singh 43, A Kalsi 38; Soumendra Das 6/80, S Pradhan 2/82).
Orissa (1st innings): 440/9 decl in 142.5 overs (Abhilash Mallick 252 n.o, Agniv Sarkar 60, Pallabendu Mishra 33, Sujit Lenka 28; Newab Singh 3/106, R Kolish 2/19).
Himachal Pradesh (2nd innings): 257/2 in 73.4 in overs (S Sharma 104 n.o, R Kolish 52, Abhimanyu Rana 51 n.o, P Chopra 40).
