The Hindu : England `A' in pursuit of stiff target

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 01, 2004

Sport

Sport - Cricket

England `A' in pursuit of stiff target

By Our Special Correspondent

AMRITSAR, FEB. 29. East Zone met with resistance from England `A' on the penultimate day of their Duleep Trophy match at the Gandhi Stadium here on Sunday. A sporting crowd enjoyed some good cricket in excellent conditions with the contest spilling into the final day with both teams having a chance to pull it off.

However, it will be a little difficult for England `A', what with the ball staying low and the target stiff. In pursuit of 367, the visitor was 78 for two after East compiled 308 in its second venture, thanks mainly to some enterprising batting by Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Shib Sundar Das, who came in at No. 9, against an inspired opposition spearheaded by Lancashire mediumpacer Sajid Mahmood.

Resuming at 65 for three, East lost a confident Kiran Pawar who paid for his indiscretion after adding 63 for the fourth wicket with an equally determined Sourasish Lahiri, the latter departing next after having no clue to an express delivery from Mahmood. This was Mahmood's third victim, and his best too, as Lahiri was well set.

With England `A' pressing hard, it was left to the pair of Shukla and skipper Devang Gandhi to do something. The two responded with a stand of 106 off 80 balls for the sixth wicket in what was East's best phase of the day. Shukla made a big impression with his lusty blows — his 60 off 68 balls contained nine fours and two sixes, both off off-spinner James Tredwell.

It was during this partnership that the English bowlers lost their direction and some of the fielders their cool too. There was too much banter on the field, reflecting the poor spirit. But Shukla and Gandhi ignored the sledging and went about their task with remarkable restraint. Shukla perished while trying a heave and Gandhi, who faced 95 balls and hit eight fours, played a tame cut to point.

With wickets falling quickly, Das, who scripted a patient century on the first day, displayed his aggressive side by belting the English bowlers. He singled out Tredwell for treatment and hoisted him for three sixes in an over. However, after hitting five fours and three sixes in his 48-ball knock of 55, Das fell attempting another big hit to give Mahmood his fifth wicket.

"It's been hard work on this pitch but I kept my line and length. I've learnt patience and variety on this tour. It's been a good tour,'' said Mahmood.

It is now up to the England `A' batsmen to sign off their tour on a winning note. The team needs 289 to win in 90 overs with eight wickets in hand.

The scores:

East Zone — 1st innings: 283.

England `A' — 1st innings: 225.

East Zone — 2nd innings: D. Dasgupta b Mahmood 7, M. S. Dhoni c Napier b Mahmood 24, A. Das c Prior b Kirby 7, K. Pawar st. Prior b Tredwell 40, S. Lahiri b Mahmood 40, D. Gandhi c Ali b Tredwell 59, L. R.Shukla c Wagg b Tredwell 60, U. Chatterjee b Tredwell 1, S. S. Das c Kirby b Mahmood 55, D.Mohanty c Kirby b Mahmood 0, S.S. Paul (not out) 1; Extras (b-2, lb-4, nb-8) 14; Total 308.

Fall of wickets: 1-27, 2-34, 3-49, 4-112, 5-132, 6-238, 7-249, 8-270, 9-271.

England `A' bowling: Mahmood 23.1-9-62-5, Kirby 16-5-47-1, Napier 11-1-48-0, Tredwell 26-1-130-4, Wagg 4-1-15-0.

England `A' — 2nd innings: S. Newman b Paul 0, E. Smith (batting) 33, M. Lumb lbw b Lahiri 13, K. Pietersen (batting) 29; Extras (nb-3) 3; Total (for two wkts.) 78.

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-25.

East Zone bowling: Paul 5-2-18-1, Mohanty 10-4-19-0, Lahiri 12-3-33-1, Utpal 5-2-8-0.

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