Laxman enthralls

JAMSHEDPUR, February 5: There was a big crowd at the Keenan Stadium this morning. By afternoon the stands were almost empty. With Indian captain Azharuddin back in the pavilion after only a 12-minute stay at the wicket scoring just two runs, the crowd too went home disappointed least bothering to encourage the home team, Bihar in their four-day Group C Ranji Trophy Super League clash against Hyderabad.

Despite the early exit of Azhar, VVS Laxman held the innings together with a superb unbeaten century which took their score to 285 for six at the end of the first day8217;s play.

Electing to bat, Arvind Shetty and Daniel Manohar gave a rollicking start to Hyderabad 32 in five overs. At that point, Shetty 20 played a square drive only to be caught at point by Tariq off Vineet Saxena.