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Laxman hits 179, South still not out of woods
Jan 06, 2001, 19:30 Hrs (IST)

Vijayawada: Despite superb centuries by skipper V V S Laxman (179) and night watchman T Kumaran (106) South-zone were still not out of the woods as they ended the day at 372 for six, still needing 187 to avoid the ignonimity of a follow on, on the penultimate day of the four-day Duleep trophy league tie against defending champions North Zone on Saturday.

Resuming at the overnight score of 41 for two, in reply to North-zone's mammoth first innings total of 708 for eight declared, South Zone made a smart recovery reaching 351 for three, after Kumaran, who came as the night watchman at the fall of S Ramesh's wicket yesterday, ably supported his skipper adding 238 for the third wicket in 256 minutes.

Hemang Badani (44) who came at the fall of Kumaran's wicket added 80 runs with Laxman for the fourth wicket as South Zone raised visions of a fight back. Surinder Singh gave the first breakthrough of the day for North zone when he trapped Kumaran in front with the score reading 279.

Laxman ably guided Kumaran go get his maiden first class ton. The South Zone skipper was at his elegant best as he punished all the North Zone bowlers. But, Laxman was lucky as he was given a reprieve on 15 and the score reading 62 for two, when Sehwag dropped him at gully off Surinder Singh. He struck 29 fours and a huge six off Sehwag.

The second new ball claimed by Vikram Rathore in the 96th over paid rich dividends as in the very first over Hemang Badani returned trapped leg before by Surinder at the score of 359. Two more wickets fell quickly there after.

Play was stopped for 12 minutes after the tea break due to bad light. South Zone soon resumed under bright sunshine but lost the wickets of Badani, Laxman and Ganesh in quick succession.

UNI