Published: Dec 23, 2014, 09:25 PM (IST)
Edited: Dec 23, 2014, 09:25 PM (IST)
Rajkot: Dec 23, 2014
Sheldon Jackson struck an unbeaten century to take Saurashtra to a strong position by reaching 280 for three in their second innings on the third and penultimate day of their Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat at Rajkot on Tuesday.
Jackson (124*) stitched a 212-run third-wicket partnership with Arpit Vasavada (88) to steer Saurashtra out of a potentially slippery situation at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
Left-arm spinner Akshar Patel, who will fly to Australia after this match as a replacement of injured Ravindra Jadeja in India’s Test squad for the ongoing series, took two Saurashtra wickets for 69 runs.
Starting their second innings trailing by 41 runs, Saurashtra were still a run short of drawing level when they lost their second wicket, that of opener Bhushan Chauhan (19).
Vasavada and Jackson, however, snuffed out the danger and remained together for 60.5 overs, before Patel dismissed Vasavada for a 211-ball 88.
Jackson saw the day through in Jaydev Shah’s (17*) company, and went to stumps batting on 124, having faced 203 balls, and struck 10 fours and a six.
Brief scores:
Saurashtra 207 (Sheldon Jackson 48; Akshar Patel 4 for 72, Krushang Patel 2 for 44) and 280 for 3 (Arpit Vasavada 88, Sheldon Jackson 124*; Akshar Patel 2 for 69) lead Gujarat 248 (Priyank Kirit Panchal 38, Smit Patel 105, Rush Kalaria 31; Dharmendrasinh Jadeja 5 for 74) by 239 runs.
