JOIN USBengal speedster Ashok Dinda’s hostile spell helped defending champions East Zone reach the final of the Duleep Trophy for the second successive time after beating South Zone by virtue of a 23-run first innings lead.
After East were bowled out for 215 in their second innings, South needed 239 runs in 51 overs (including mandatory overs) in order to win the match but in the end just about managed to avert an outright defeat.
They were 85 for eight at the start of the mandatory overs when umpires decided to call off the match after consulting the two captains. They were in fact tottering at 42 for eight at one point. Dinda ended with brilliant figures of seven for 26 while Basant Mohanty took the other wicket. Dinda, who got his 13th five-for in first-class cricket, terrorised the South Zone top-order in a single spell to shut out any dreams that were harboured by Robin Uthappa and Co.
Credit should also be given to the Orissa duo of Biplab Samantray and Mohanty who added 68 runs for the seventh wicket and more importantly helped the lead to swell and consumed crucial time which only lessened South’s chances of an outright win.