Extending his century from yesterday, skipper Jacob Martin ensured that Ranji Trophy holders Baroda would qualify for the semi-final on the third day of their quarter-final against Hyderabad.

Making 271 before becoming the ninth wicket in the innings to fall, Martin found ample support from the tail during his knock. Atul Bedade made 56 off 51, with six fours and three sixes, while Rakesh Patel, in at number nine, scored 51 off 76 balls.

Martin's own innings consisted of 37 fours and two sixes, taking 404 balls and 629 minutes. His mammoth innings took Baroda to 673, a first-innings lead of 383 runs that ensured either a draw or an outright win for Baroda. Either way, the current champions are sure-fire qualifiers for a semi-final berth.

That lead was further consolidated by the bowlers who, buoyed by the batting performance, took out eight Hyderabad batsmen for 84 runs before stumps was called on the third day. First-innings centurion and skipper VVS Laxman (31*) could only look on from the other end as batsmen departed with metronomic regularity.

Zaheer Khan was the main destroyer for Baroda, taking his match haul to 10 with another five-wicket haul. His bowling devastated the lower-middle order of Hyderabad, and unless Laxman can unleash a knock even more dramatic and match-winning than his 281 against Australia, his side are sure losers in this contest.

© CricInfo