West & North Zones advance to semi-finals

CHENNAI/PUDUCHERRY: West Zone and North Zone secured semi-final berths in the Duleep Trophy by taking the first-innings lead in their matches against North East Zone and East Zone respectively.

While West Zone obtained a massive 355-run lead over North East Zone at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and opted for batting practice on the fourth and final day on Sunday, North Zone rode on a superb ton by Yash Dhull (193) to overhaul East Zone’s total.

The Ajinkya Rahane-led West Zone was 268 for five in the second innings when the match ended. Aith Sheth remained not out on 102 (101 balls, 10 fours, 1 six) and Shams Mulani fell for 97 (115 balls, 12 fours) as the match meandered to a draw.

In Puducherry, North Zone, resuming on its overnight score of 433 for three, added a further 112 runs before being dismissed for 545.

BRIEF SCORES:

In Chennai: West Zone 590/2 decl. in 123 overs and 268/5 in 64.3 overs (A Sheth 102*, S Mulani 97, Dippu 3/70) drew with North East Zone 235 in 81.5 overs. In Puducherry: East Zone 397 in 136.4 overs and 102/3 in 21 overs drew with North Zone 545 in 148.5 overs (Y Dhull 193, D Shorey 81, Mandeep 63, H Rana 62, M Vohra 44, S Ahmed 5/86)Second Test ends in drawThe second ‘Unofficial’ Test between India ‘A’ and New Zealand ‘A’ ended in a draw after the fourth and final day’s play in Hubballi on Sunday was marred by rain. After the home team declared its first innings on the overnight total of 229 for six, New Zealand stood at 39 for two when the rain-affected match came to a close.

BRIEF SCORES: India ‘A’ 229/6 decl. in 66 overs drew with New Zealand ‘A’ 39/2 in 12.5 overs.