Kerala keep chances of taking first innings lead alive

A fine century by Amit Verma propelled Kerala to 299 for six in their first innings on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Group C cricket match against Goa here today.
Kerala did well to end the day one run short of 300, needing just another 69 runs to topple Goa's first innings total of 367 all out. But the hosts have just four wickets remaining.
Resuming on 60 for two, Kerala's overnight batsman Verma, having started the day at nine, scored a superb 287-ball 129 studded with 13 boundaries and three sixes.
He also put on valuable partnerships with Sachin Baby (31) and Nikhilesh Surendran (54 not out).

With Sachin, he yielded 80 runs for the fifth wicket, while with Surendran, Verma shared a 86-run stand for the sixth wicket to keep Kerala on the track of achieving the first-innings lead.
Brief scores:
Goa 1st innings: 367 all out
Kerala 1st innings: 299 for six in 125 overs (Amit Verma 129, Nikhilesh Surendran 54 not out).