A swashbuckling 134 by Pravanjan Mallick placed hosts Orissa in a commanding position on the third day of the four-day Ranji Trophy plate division match against Goa at the Barabati Stadium at Cuttack on Tuesday.
Orissa declared their innings at 466 for eight, taking a first innings lead of 231 runs, and then reduced Goa to 41 for one in their second knock.
Resuming at the overnight score of 202 for two, Orissa suffered a quick jolt this morning when skipper Sanjay Raul was bowled by left arm spinner Shadeb Jakati while on 26.
Opener Subrat Behera, who was on 60 overnight, was then joined by Mallick. Behera missed his century when he nicked an Amit Dani delivery to wicket keeper S.Shiriguppi on his personal score of 87 (eight fours, 456 minutes).
Niranjan Behera (7) and Sukhwinder Singh (12) did not last long as Orissa slumped to 335 for seven. But Mallick hit out in partnership with Sanjay Satpathy (38, six fours) adding quick 67 runs for the seventh wicket stand.
Mallick's unbeaten knock, which came off 163 balls,included 14 hits to the fence and a six.
Jakati was the most successful Goa bowler claiming five wickets for 99 runs. Four of his victims were bowled.
In their second knock, the Goa batsmen found medium pacer Debashis Mohanty difficult to negotiate as he claimed the wicket of opener Shagun Kamat trappin him leg before wicket without a run on the board.
The other opener, Swapnil Asnodkar, who had carried his bat through the Goa first innings hitting a fine century, retired hurt after suffering cramps on his left shoulder.
Faizal Shaikh and Rohit Rane were at the crease on 17 and 10 respectively when stumps were drawn.
