Central Zone bowlers shine in seven-wicket thrashing of North

A splendid effort from the Central Zone bowlers propelled their team to a thumping seven-wicket win over North Zone.

In the morning, Central's left-arm fast bowler Shalabh Srivastava devastated the North top-order after they had opted to bat. Srivastava sent back openers Manish Sharma and Gautam Gambhir, and Yuvraj Singh in the space of less than seven overs to have North reeling at 33 for three. They never recovered from there.

Batsman after batsman trudged back to the pavilion in quick intervals, as the home team folded up for just 108 in 34.3 overs. Sangram Singh who made 34 off 78 balls was the top-scorer in an innings hich saw only two other batsmen- Yuvraj Singh and skipper Vijay Dahiya - reach double-figures. Mr Extras with a tally of 20 made a relatively handsome contribution.

For North, Srivastava ended up with four wickets, while medium-pacer Jai P Yadav and left-arm spinner Murali Kartik claimed two wickets each. Kartik, who is rated highly by Bishen Singh Bedi, had the rather rare and pleasing figures of 1.2-0-3-2.

When North replies, they lost their openers early. But Amay Khurasiya, with 50 off 51 balls and , Mohammad Kaif, with an unbeaten 24 off 34 balls, ensured an easy win for their team. Central Zone claimed five points for their win.

Hemang Badani and MSK Prasad made sterling contributions as South Zone thrashed East Zone in a rain-shortened one-dayer at the Shaheed Krishan Chand Memorial Stadium, Mandi.

Badani made 99 off 89 balls before being run-out and Prasad a relatively patient 62 as South Zone amassed 264 for five in their 43 overs after opting to bat in a match whose start was delayed becuase of overnight rain. Two other batsmen - opener Jagadish Arunkumar (32) and Yalak Venugopal Rao (33) - also made useful contributions and this saw North starting their innings with the asking rate well over 6 an over.

The pressure of chasing such a daunting target proved too much for the East Zone batsmen, most of them perishing after getting in. Sanjay Raul, who made 45 off 56 balls with four fours, was the top-scorers for the Rohan Gavaskar-led side. For South, Vengugopla Rao claimed three wickets while RVC Prasad claimed two wickets.