da dobrowin： In another high scoring match at Rajkot, North Zone defeated West Zoneby 29 runs
19-Jan-2000In another high scoring match at Rajkot, North Zone defeated West Zoneby 29 runs. North Zone led off with 312 for eight in 50 overs withAjay Jadeja hitting a sparkling 91 off 90 balls with ten fours. Asplendid century by Vinod Kambli went in vain as West Zone despite agallant effort, were restricted to 283 for nine in 50 overs.North Zone, opting to bat first, lost Ashu Dani early. But skipperVikram Rathour and Jadeja steadied the innings by adding 57 runs forthe second wicket off 10.5 overs. The momentum was maintained withJadeja and Pankaj Dharmani slamming 98 runs off 17.1 overs for thethird wicket. After Jadeja’s deaparture, Dharmani and Virendra Sehwagthen flogged the West Zone bowling to put on a further 94 runs for thefourth wicket off 10.5 overs. While Dharmani hit 70 off 94 balls withfive fours, Sehwag cracked 66 off just 39 balls with seven hits to theropes.West Zone started their reply in a dazzling manner with openers WasimJaffer (21) and Sitanshu Kotak (28) putting on 34 runs off 4.4overs. Kambli now entered and took charge, dominating a second wicketstand of 81 runs off 18 overs with Kotak. After Kotak’s departure,Kambli and Amol Muzumdar (42) maintained the momentum by adding 83runs off 15.5 overs for the third wicket. At 198 for two in the 39thover, West Zone had a winning chance. But the run outs of Kambli andMuzumdar in successive overs saw their hopes dashed. Both run outswere effected by Jadeja. Kambli’s 106 was made off 131 balls and hehit 13 fours. The remaining batsmen, with the exception of skipperNayan Mongia (29 not out) could not contribute much and West Zone wererestricted to 283 for nine in 50 overs. Robin Singh was the mostsuccessful bowler with three for 53.