Parida helps Orissa draw with Tamil Nadu

Rashmi Ranjan Parida, with a fine unbeaten 147, played a stellar role in earning for Orissa an honourable draw against Tamil Nadu in their Ranji Trophy Super League Group C match at the Barabati stadium on Tuesday. The one drop batsman, who resumed on 11, displayed skill, patience and stamina in batting for 7-1/2 hours as Orissa, chasing an unlikely victory target of 442, closed at a very respectable 311 for three.

Few would have given Orissa much chance of saving the game, given both their shoddy batting display in the first innings and Tamil Nadu's splendid performance in the Super League. However Orissa, who were 36 for one at stumps on Monday, put up a spirited display. First, skipper SS Das and Parida put on 174 runs for the second wicket off 65 overs. Das was out for 83 for which he batted a shade over five hours, faced 202 balls and hit nine fours. This was followed by a third wicket partnership of 89 runs off 26 overs between Parida and SS Raul (42). And finally Parida and P Mullick added 46 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket off 10.4 overs. Tamil Nadu skipper Sarath tried eight bowlers in all but Orissa held on comfortably. Tamil Nadu with five points from this game still are still on top in the group with 21 points from three matches. Orissa have eleven points from three games.