Hebbar-Sumanth hands Andhra edge

CHENNAI: Andhra cricketers are not known for flamboyance, but they are gritty characters. This facet was on display, as half-centuries by Ashwin Hebbar and B Sumanth helped the visitors take a lead of 55 over Tamil Nadu on Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match on Saturday.

The hosts had done well by reducing Andhra to 64/5, but Sumanth and Hebbar added 116 in 41.5 overs (till Sumanth retired hurt). "It was a good wicket, but a bit slow. I didn't want to go for shots and decided to play session by session," said Sumanth. "Ashwin actually looked more comfortable than me. Since the wicket was flat, Tamil Nadu spinners couldn't extract much turn."

Andhra vice-captain Srikar Bharat lauded his team for a stubborn effort. "From 64/5 to 231/7 against a team like Tamil Nadu was a brilliant effort. We would like to bat as long as possible."

Tamil Nadu captain Abhinav Mukund's tactics came in for scrutiny as he was late in making bowling changes. He also let Andhra off the hook after having them on the mat. R Ashwin did not bowl for 90 minutes at the start of the day, while Washington Sundar was introduced just before lunch.

"It's the captain's choice as to whom he wants to employ. Each player has a method, so you can't say this is right or this is wrong. He may have felt using meduim pacers was right," said coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar.

"We have Ashwin. So Washington has to wait. May be next time he will take another call as far as Washington is concerned, as per the situation. It's not fair to judge him (Abhinav) on these things. It's not like we did not employ an off-spinner at all. Ashwin did bowl," added Kanitkar.
 

ashok.v@newindianexpress.com