Maharashtra made a spirited reply to a Connor-Williams-inspired Baroda first-innings total in their Ranji Trophy league match at Pune on Monday.

Baroda ended their first innings on 424, inspired largely by Tushar Arothe, who made 85. Holding the lower order together, Arothe played patiently for 251 minutes and 183 balls to be the ninth wicket to fall. He was well supported by Zaheer Khan, who made a brisk 43 off 33 balls. For Maharashtra, Iqbal Siddiqui took five wickets.

Maharashtra did not wilt in the face of such a big deficit. Although Niranjan Godbole fell early, JS Narse and Hrishikesh Kanitkar kept the score ticking over. Both were dismissed before the close of play, but Abhijit Kale and KD Aphale put on an unbeaten 109 runs for the fourth wicket.

At stumps, Kale was on 62 off 135 balls, while Aphale had made 40 off 69 balls. For Baroda, Valmik Buch took two wickets, while Zaheer Khan claimed one.

© CricInfo