Thiruvananthapuram: Jalaj Saxena's all-round show powered Kerala to a 9-wicket win over Andhra in the Ranji trophy Elite Group B match here on Thursday. Kerala pocketed 6 points from the outright win.
Saxena, who hit 109 & 19 not out and scalped 9 wickets (1/54 & 8/45), was adjudged man of the match for his top-notch performance.
Andhra, ripped apart by Saxena on the third day, could add only 13 runs to their overnight score of 102/8 in the morning session of the final day. Kerala struck in quick succession through Akshay K C, who accounted for top-scorer Ricky Bhui (32), and Saxena.
A target of 41 runs was achieved by Kerala in 13 overs for the loss of opener K B Arun Karthick's wicket.
After Manish Golamaru clean bowled Arun (16), Saxena teamed up with Rohan Prem (8 not out) to take the hosts home.
Kerala, who have seven points from two matches, next meet Bengal at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Brief scores: Andhra 254 and 115 in 51.3 overs (Ricky Bhui 32; Jalaj Saxena 8/45, Akshay KC 2/36) lost to Kerala 328 and 43/1 in 13 overs.
Points: Kerala 6; Andhra 0.
