Samantray hits ton before Maharashtra's good start

Pune: Maharashtra made a strong reply after Biplab Samantray's century guided Odisha to a first-innings total of 311 all out on the second day of their Group B Ranji Trophy cricket match here today.

At stumps, the hosts were sitting pretty at 126 for no loss with openers Harshad Khadiwale (76) and Chirag Khurana (48) at the crease.

Resuming at 223 for five, Odisha were bowled out in 123.1 overs with Samantray's 106 being the top score for the visiting side. In his 200-ball knock that took 313 minutes, Samantray struck 10 fours and two sixes, helping his side reach a respectable total.

Opener Natraj Behera (66) was the second best scorer while Halhadar Das, who was overnight batting on 28, managed 48 runs while adding 117 runs for the sixth wicket with Samantray.

Shrikant Mundhe (4/103) was the most successful bowler for Maharashtra while Domnic Joseph picked up 3/57.

In reply, the hosts looked comfortable with both their openers playing some fine shots at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Khadiwale struck 12 fours in his 76-run knock that came off 175 balls, while Khurana found the fence nine times in his 161-ball 48.

At the close of play, Maharashtra trailed by 185 runs with all their wickets intact.

Brief scores:

Odisha 1st innings: 311 all out in 123.1 overs (Biplab Samantray 106, Natraj Behera 66; Shrikant Mundhe 4/103, Domnic Joseph 3/57)

Maharashtra 1st innings: 126 for no loss in 56 overs (Harshad Khadiwale 76 batting, Chirag Khurana 48 batting).