The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Central in arrears despite Kaif’s big score

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Central in arrears despite Kaif’s big score

Special Correspondent

RAJKOT: Central Zone, whose middle-order failed to pick up the cue from skipper Mohd. Kaif’s classy 160 (316 balls, 19 x 4), eventually fell 27 runs short of West Zone’s first innings score of 411.

With just a day left in the Duleep Trophy tie at the Madhavrao Scindia stadium, the match is heading for a draw.

Batting again, West rattled up 99 for no loss by close.

Kaif, 96 overnight, displayed a lot of nervous energy as the four-day tie moved into a decisive phase. He stepped out to straight drive Sandeep Jobanputra, bringing up his 100 off 190 balls. The element of timing in his shots and footwork to create room at the crease for glides through the slips and flicks through mid-wicket ensured the onus was on West bowlers to seize the initiative.

Kaif’s patience in waiting for loose balls and Mahesh Rawat’s cheeky shots resulted in a sixth wicket stand worth 84 runs.

Jobanputra forced a breakthrough, making Rawat (48) hurry into a shot and Yusuf Pathan pouched a neat catch. Trivedi dismissed Kaif after a 461-minute marathon.

Dhruv’s flight and turn drew out Sanjib Sanyal for Parthiv to respond with a swift stumping. Murali Kartik (19) fell to Dhruv (four for 84). Munaf returned to remove tailender Sumeet Tyagi (12) and Central was bowled out for 384. A sour end to Kaif’s day.

The scores:

West Zone — 1st innings: 411

Central Zone — 1st innings: Vinit Saxena c Parthiv b Munaf 2, Tanmay Srivastava c Rahane b Trivedi 12, Jalaj Saxena lbw b Dhruv 46, Mohd. Kaif c Dhruv b Trivedi 160, Harshad Rawle c Parthiv b Munaf 3, Sanjay Bangar c Parthiv b Dhruv 26, Mahesh Rawat c Pathan b Jobanputra 48, Sanjib Sanyal st Parthiv b Dhruv 31, Murali Kartik lbw b Dhruv 19, Sumeet Mathur (not out) 10. Sudeep Tyagi b Munaf 12, Extras (b-4, lb-3, nb-7, w-1) 15; Total (in 126 overs) 384.

Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-49, 3-73, 4-91, 5-134, 6-268, 7-319, 8-357, 9-362.

West Zone bowling: Munaf 29-6-90-3, Jobanputra 24-6-69-1, Trivedi 27-5-88-2, Dhruv 33-12-84-4, Powar 12-2-40-0, Pathan 1-0-6-0.

West Zone — 2nd innings: Sahil Kukreja (batting) 40, Ajinkya Rahane (batting) 53, Extras (b-1, nb-4, w-1) 6; Total (in 36 overs for no loss) 99.

Central Zone bowling: Bangar 11-5-24-0, Sanyal 7-0-35-0, Kartik 15-5-31-0, Mathur 3-0-8-0.

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