North Zone regain Duleep Trophy

With the issue having been virtually decided on the fourth day, the last day's play in the Duleep Trophy final at the Eden Gardens in Calcutta, predictably enough, made for dull viewing. With North Zone boasting of a formidable line up there was very little chance of West Zone coming back into the game and the five day game meandered along to a tame draw. North Zone, having gained the all important first innings lead of 101 runs, won the trophy for the 14th time, equalling the record of West Zone.

For the record, North Zone, 99 for two in their second innings overnight batted on till they were all out for 248. Set to get 350 for victory in 38 overs, West Zone were 64 for five in 22 overs when play was called off.

West Zone did make a brave bid to come back in spite of the fact that the wicket remained a `sleeping beauty' even on the final day. They did take wickets at regular intervals and particularly impressive was medium pacer Zaheer Khan, who finished with four wickets. The in form Pankaj Dharmani however held firm. Shortly after lunch, North Zone were 182 for nine. But Dharmani and Robin Singh prolonged West Zone's agony with a last wicket partnership of 66 runs in an hour off 13.4 overs. Dharmani was last out for 93. He batted a shade over four hours, faced 167 balls and hit 15 fours. In the process, he completed 1000 runs in the domestic season.

West Zone had a virtually impossible task. Amit Bhandari and Navdeep Singh picked up some quick wickets and with about an hour to go, the players mercifully decided to call a halt to the pointless proceedings.