West Zone meet North Zone in Duleep final

With West Zone having made virtually sure of a berth in the Duleep Trophy final at stumps on the fourth day on Sunday, the final day's play of their semifinal against East Zone at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta was only of academic interest. There was time however for a couple of batsmen to get hundreds.

West Zone who resumed at 174 for one in their second innings declared at 260 for three after batting 24.1 overs. The second wicket partnership between Wasim Jaffar and AV Kale realized 153 runs from 59.5 overs before the former was bowled by East Zone skipper U Chatterjee for 94. Jaffar faced 264 balls and hit nine fours. But Kale however did not falter and duly got his hundred before he was out for 105. Kale occupied the crease for a shade over 3-1/2 hours, hitting 13 fours. At the fall of Kale's wicket, Mujumdar declared the innings closed, leaving East Zone the highly improbable target of 606 runs to win in 63 overs.

The home team utilised the period for some valuable batting practice. SS Das and Nikhil Haldipur put on 185 runs for the first wicket in 35.2 overs. Haldipur hit a bright 79 off 93 balls with 15 hits to the fence. However Das who had been the dominant partner had already got to the three figure mark before he was second out for 110. He faced 130 balls and hit 18 fours. East Zone when stumps were finally drawn were 248 for three.

West Zone meet North Zone in the five day final commencing at Calcutta from Dec 17.