The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Chopra, Ricky make merry

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Tuesday, Nov 14, 2006
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Chopra, Ricky make merry

S. Sabanayakan

A MASTERFUL KNOCK: North Zone's Aakash Chopra drives on his way to an unbeaten 135 against Sri Lanka `A'.

KOLKATA: Centuries from Aakash Chopra and Ravneet Ricky put North Zone in a commanding position against Sri Lanka `A' on the second day of the five-day Duleep Trophy final at the Eden Gardens here on Monday.

At close, North was 321 for two. Chopra (135) and captain Mithun Manhas (29) were at the crease.

In a fine exhibition of batting skills, Chopra reminded the three National selectors — chairman Dilip Vengsarkar, Sanjay Jagdale and S.L.V. Raju, who are present here — the qualities of solidity and patience at the top of the order.

The 29-year-old Delhi opener, who had a short international career before being dropped, got his 15th first class century.

The 26-year-old Punjab opener Ravneet Ricky's 122, his 11th first class hundred, was in total contrast to his senior partner's knock. The two put on 214 runs for the second wicket in 73 overs after dominating the Sri Lankan attack for over five hours.

"I am absolutely thrilled to get this hundred. This is one of my better knocks,'' Chopra said after the day's play.

"I think this knock will be noticed because it is scored in the Duleep Trophy final and that too against a side which has five to six players who had played for Sri Lanka.''

Chopra's last century, scored against New Zealand in 2003 for the Board President's XI, earned him a place in the Indian team. "I am not sure whether this innings will get me back into the National side but I will surely hope to stage a comeback,'' he said.

Chopra's unbeaten knock came after playing 307 balls in 439 minutes with the aid of 18 sweetly timed shots.

Adventurous

In contrast, Ricky was more adventurous especially after lunch. With the pitch easing out after the first hour, the two settled down to dominate the attack with aplomb.

"I like to dominate the bowling,'' said Ricky after the knock. Ricky hit 16 fours and a six during his knock of 122 after staying at the crease a shade over five hours. Amarasinghe had him taken in the second slips with the second new ball.

The scores:

Sri Lanka `A' — 1st innings: 296.

North Zone — 1st innings: A. Chopra (batting) 135, G. Gambhir b Amarasinghe 7, R. Ricky c Samaraweera b Amarasinghe 122, M. Manhas (batting) 29. Extras (b-4, lb-11, w-2, nb-11) 28. Total (for two wkts. in 98.2 overs): 321.

Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-265.

Sri Lanka `A' bowling: Ganegama 22.2-3-71-0, Prasad 17-3-69-0, Amarasinghe 20-2-60-2, Herath 32-6-85-0, Mubarak 4-0-15-0, Silva 3-0-6-0.

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