Wasim Jaffer's century sustains West Zone

Wasim Jaffer, with an unbeaten century, played the sheet anchor role to perfection as West Zone scored 237 for three off 93 overs at close of play on the third day of the five day Duleep Trophy final against North Zone at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. This was in reply to North Zone's first innings total of 468.

Resuming at eight for no loss, West Zone openers Jaffer and Cecil Williams proceeded cautiously to 47. Then the latter, who got a hundred in the semifinal against East Zone, was caught by Dahiya off Robin Singh for 21. AV Kale joined Jaffer and the two put on 66 runs for the second wicket off 29.4 overs. Like the North Zone batsmen, the West Zone batsmen too played a waiting game on a wicket that gave little help to the bowlers. Kale, after batting almost two hours for 30, was caught by Shewag off Robin Singh. He faced 83 balls and hit four of them to the fence.

Skipper Amol Mujumdar joined Jaffer and the two showed a lot of patience and concentration in negotiating the attack. The partnership added 106 runs for the third wicket from 40.4 overs before the captain was adjudged leg before to Sodhi for 52. Mujumdar faced 137 balls and hit eight boundaries.

Joined by Vinod Kambli, Jaffer proceeded serenely to his century. At close he was unbeaten with 107 which was compiled off 270 balls. He hit 15 fours. Kambli who started off in fluent fashion was batting with ten runs off eleven balls with two fours. West Zone still require 232 runs to take the vital first innings lead and much would depend on this pair on the morrow. North Zone, on the other hand, will need a quick wicket or two if they hope to snatch the first innings lead - which seems the all important factor right now in the match.

Like the West Zone bowlers, the North Zone bowlers too toiled on an unfriendly pitch. Amit Bhandari, besides being expensive, sent down nine no balls. Navdeep Singh and Nikhil Chopra were steady. Only Robin Singh was really impressive.