Hemant Kumar hit a fine century to help Kerala take a crucial first innings lead of 26 runs against Railways on the penultimate day of the four-day Ranj Trophy Elite Group A cricket match at Fort Maidan in Palakkad on Tuesday.

Railways, in their second essay, were 181 for 3 when stumps were drawn for the day, with Sanjay Bangar (69) and J P Yadav (20) at the crease.

Earlier, resuming on 195 for 7, Kerala added 126 runs before being all out for 321, while replying to Railways' 295. Medium pacer J P Yadav claimed all three Kerala wickets to fall today.

Kumar made 131 (302 balls, 427 minutes) with 14 hits to the fence before being dismissed by Yadav.

Sree Kumar Nair (69) and Suresh Kumar (56) also made valuable contributions.

Harvinder Singh and J P Yadav claimed five wickets each for Railways.

Tinu Yohannan, captain Sunial Oasis and Ananthapadmanabhan took a wicket apiece in Railways' second innings.

Railways (1st innings): 295

Kerala (1st innings):Sujith Somasundar b H Singh 9
M Nathani lbw J P Yadav 5
Vipin Lal b H Singh 0
Hemant Kumar c Sharma b J P Yadav 131
Sunil Oasis lbw H Singh 0
Sreekumar Nair c Sharma b H Singh 69
Ajay Kuduva b H Singh 0
Sony Cheruvathur c Sharma b J P Yadav 0
Ananthapadmanabhan c Sharma b J P Yadav 1
Suresh Kumar not out 56
Tinu Yohannan b Yadav 3

Extras: (b-22, lb-20, nb 5) 47  

Total: (all out in 112.2 overs) 321       

Fall of wickets: 1-19, 2-19, 3-19, 4-32, 5-193, 6-193, 7-194, 8-196, 9-299

Bowling: Harvinder Singh 34-14-57-5; J P Yadav 38.2-9-101-5; Sanjay Bangar 9-3-35-0; Parida 15-2-39-0; Madan Yadav 8-0-29-0; S Khamolar 8-2-18-0.