Arothe slams century for Baroda

Skipper Tushar Arothe (105) and former India stumper Nayan Mongia's (64) unfinished partnership of 149 for the fifth wicket put defending champions Baroda in a comfortable position on the opening day of the four-day West Zone Ranji Trophy league match against Saurashtra at the Municipal Corporation grounds in Rajkot on Thursday.

At close of play Baroda were 283 for four wickets.

Arothe and Mongia made full use of Saurashtra's wayward bowling and fielding lapses and also their own good fortune to raise Baroda's stock following defeats against Gujarat and Mumbai.

After winning the toss, Baroda made a sound start as the opening pair Satyajit Parab and Rishikesh Parab put on 70 for the first wicket before the latter was out for 26 off the bowling of off-spinner Hitesh Parsana, caught by Reuben Paul.

Off-spinner Niraj Odedra struck in the 25th over, claiming the wicket of opener Satyajit Parab, who was trapped leg before for 47, which included eight boundaries.

Atul Bedade made a sparkling 34 in 39 balls in which he hit five fours and one six.

The father and son umpire duo of Balwant Sharma and Kamlesh Sharma awarded five runs to the fielding side, penalising former India wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia for damaging the pitch with his spike shoes, after being warned twice.

At stumps, skipper Tushar Arothe, on 105 (13x4 and 1x6 ), and Mongia, on 64 (7x4), were at the crease.

Brief score:
Baroda (1st innings) 283 for four wickets in 90 overs (Satyajit Parab 47, Nayan Mongia not out 64, Tushar Arothe not out 105; Niraj Odedra two for 67, Jolly Jobanputra one for 66 and Hitesh Parsana one for 61).