da brwin： Delhi: Despite a valuable 60-run fifth wicket partnership betweenAbu Eric Samy and Saranjeet Singh, Services were struggling toavoid an innings defeat against Delhi on the third day of theirNorth Zone Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday
Madhu Sanghi27-Oct-1999Delhi: Despite a valuable 60-run fifth wicket partnership betweenAbu Eric Samy and Saranjeet Singh, Services were struggling toavoid an innings defeat against Delhi on the third day of theirNorth Zone Ranji Trophy match here on Tuesday.Services, trailing by 303 runs after Delhi declared their firstinnings at 444 for eight, were reeling at 140 for five in theirsecond innings, at close with Sarabjeet Singh, on 42, waging alone battle at the Harbax Singh stadium.The hosts, who were shot out for a paltry 141 in their in their firstessay, still needed 163 runs to make Delhi bat again with only fivewickets intact.Earlier, Manhas, who was 15 short of his century, completed his ton butlost his overnight partner Rahul Sanghvi (25), bowled by off-spinnerM.V.Rao. Manhas continued his good work with Amit Bhandari (20 notout) to take Delhi to 444 at the first drinks break when skipper AjaySharma declared the innings. Manhas remained unbeaten at 125 with ninehits to the ropes.The Delhi bowlers were on fire in the first session but lost steamonce Abu Eric (39) and Sarabjeet Singh (42*) were at the crease.Ajay Sharma was guilty of under-utilising Nikhil Chopra, whosent down only three overs during the day.The pitch at Harbaksh Stadium did not offer much assistance topaceman, but Sharma continued with his seam duo instead of thebattery of spinners who could have explorted the pitch to theiradvantage. Abu Eric and Sarabjeet Singh saved Services from actueembarressment before Bhandari dismissed Eric to pushServices closer to defeat. Eric struck four boundaries during his 214minute stay at the crease. Sarabjeet continued with his disciplinedvigil at the wicket and found an able partner in G.S.Thapa (7*).