Jaipur:Brilliant hundreds by V Sivaramakrishan (158) and captain Venugoal Rao (103 not out) helped South Zone post an imposing total of 327 for 4 against Central Zone in their Deodhar Trophy tie here today.

Asked to bat first, South Zone lost their first wicket of Robin Uthappa for only one, bowled by J P Yadav but Sivarakrishan and Venugopal Rao batted superbly, punishing all the eight bowlers employed by Central Zone.

The pair added 233 runs off 234 balls for the second wicket before the former was stumped by Yagnik off JP Yadav for 158.

Sivaramakrishan, who completed his half century in 51 balls with seven fours, reached the three figure mark in 109 balls including 10 hits to the fence. He accelerated after that and scored the last 58 runs off only 27 balls with five fours and two beautiful sixes.

Skipper Venugopal Rao struck the ball all around and added 49 runs for the third wicket with Dinesh Karthik who was caught by Shivakant off Harvinder Singh for 22. New comer Hemang Badani could not last long as he was out for only four by the same pair of Shivakant and Harvinder.

Rao completed his century off 120 deliveries with seven fours and two sixes before returning unbeaten on 103. He added 33 runs for the fifth wicket. S Badrinath remained unbeaten on 22 with three fours.

J P Yadav and Harvinder Singh each took two wickets conceding 52 and 69 runs respectively.

Tags: jaipur, hundred, v sivaramakrishan, captain, venugoal rao, south zone, 327 for 4, central zone, deodhar trophy, bat, first, first wicket, robin uthappa, j p yadav, sivarakrishan and venugopal rao, bowlers.