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Thursday, Nov 16, 2006
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Sri Lanka `A' in a spot of bother

S. Sabanayakan

SWEEPING SUCCESS: Malinda Warnapura of Sri Lanka `A' continued his good form with an unbeaten 82. — Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

KOLKATA: Sri Lanka `A', still 81 runs behind, was in a spot of bother after losing four wickets for 259 in its second essay after North Zone declared its first innings at 636 for seven on the fourth day of the five-day Duleep Trophy final at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

Malinda Warnapura (82) and Chamara Silva (26) were at the crease.

Even on the fourth day, the pitch was placid. The Sri Lankan top-order, after having settled down, fell prey to some poor shot selection against off-spinner Rajesh Sharma.

Michael Vandort was bowled by Rajesh Sharma in the 26th over and in the next over Mahela Udawatte fell to Joginder Sharma, edging to the wicketkeeper.

Skipper Samaraweera combined with Warnapura in an attempt to extricate the team from the early shocks. It was not to be, as Samaraweera, in trying to play a half-sweep-half-pull off Rajesh, completely missed the line. Jehan Mubarak also departed after failing to judge a straighter one from the off-spinner.

Rajesh was the best bowler on view, claiming three for 81.

Splendid knock

Southpaw Warnapura showed considerable maturity in producing a splendid 160-ball 82 in his three-hour-40-minute stay. He was involved in two good partnerships of 68 and 90 for the third and fourth wickets with Thilan Samaraweera and Mubarak respectively.

Earlier, North closed its first innings after wicketkeeper Mahesh Rawat, unbeaten on 96 overnight, reached his third first-class hundred (104 n.o., 263m, 201b, 13x4).

The scores: Sri Lanka `A' — 1st innings: 296.

North Zone — 1st innings: A. Chopra lbw b Herath 188, G. Gambhir b

Amarasinghe 7, R. Ricky c Samaraweera b Amarasinghe 122, M. Manhas lbw b Amarasinghe 29, Yashpal Singh lbw b Mubarak 77; M. Rawat (not out) 104, Joginder Singh c C. Silva b Herath 72, S. Rana c C. Silva b Herath 0, G. Singh (not out) 2. Extras (b-6, lb-12, w-2, nb-15) 35. Total (for seven wkts. decl. in 192 overs) 636.

Fall of wickets: 1-51, 2-265, 3-323, 4-411, 5-490, 6-614, 7-618.

Sri Lanka `A' bowling: Ganegama 31-6-104-0, Prasad 29-3-116-0, Amarasinghe 38-4-124-3, Herath 66-14-201-3, Mubarak 15-1-34-1, Silva 10-0-29-0, Samaraweera 3-0-10-0.

Sri Lanka `A' — 2nd innings: M. Vandort b Rajesh 37, M. Udawatte c Rawat b Joginder 28, M. Warnapura (batting) 82, T. Samaraweera b Rajesh 31, J. Mubarak lbw b Rajesh 36, C. Silva (batting) 26. Extras (b-4, lb-8, w-1, nb-6) 19. Total (for four in 76.1 overs) 259.

Fall of wickets: 1-71, 2-71, 3-139, 4-229.

North Zone bowling: Nehra 25-6-89-0, Gagandeep 12-4-35-0, Rajesh 31-10-81-3, Joginder 8.1-2-42-1.

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