West take first-innings points in tame draw

West Zone 411 (Pathan 107, Bangar 4-72) and 335 for 7 (Rahane 89, Mathur 5-63) drew with Central Zone 384 (Kaif 160, Dhurv 4-84)
Scorecard

The final day in Rajkot witnessed a tame draw as West Zone opted to bat out the whole day and edge ahead of Central Zone on the basis of first-innings points. Ajinkya Rahane missed his ton by 11 runs, captain Parthiv Patel scored a half-century and the lower order managed some batting practice before Patel called time on the innings with the score at 335 for 7.

West lost opener Sahil Kukreja with no addition to their overnight score of 99 before Patel and Rahane added 98 for the second wicket. Rahane compiled a patient 89 off 202 balls before falling leg before to seamer Sanjib Sanyal, while Patel helped himself to 74. The middle order however missed out as seamer Sumit Mathur took four wickets in quick succession to set West back at 248 for 7. Ramesh Powar and Sandeep Jobanputra scored unbeaten 40s and ensured no further loss of wickets before the declaration. Mathur finished with figures of 5 for 63.

Central will take on England Lions in Vadodara on February 3 while West have an extended break before their next tie, also against the Lions, starting February 11.