PUNE India, Reuter: Ajay Sharma missed a century by one run but Raman Lamba completed his hundred for Duleep Trophy cricket champions north zone as the run feast with West Indies predictably ended in a draw on Saturday.
Lamba scored 101 while Sharma was one of three half century makers as north zone, 167 for one overnight, reached 468 for six at the close of the third and final day in reply to West Indies first innings of 536 for seven declared.
North zone Captain Mohinder ‘Amarnath took the chance to play himself into contention for a place in India’s second test side by scoring 71, extending his second wicket stand ‘with opener Lamba to 174,
Lamba, whose runs came from 237 deliveries and contained 11 fours, and ‘Amarnath, who hit seven fours and faced 122 balls, both fell off spinner Roger Harper, leading West Indies while Viv Richardson rested.
Amarnath may have done enough to earn a test spot in Bombay next week after missing the opening match through illness, but Lamba’s place is in jeopardy after working one and failing {o score in the first test in New Delhi.
North zone condemned the touring team to further toil a5 Gursharan Singh (65) and Sharma put on 117 for the fifth wicket. The stand ended when Gursharan attempted a huge blow against off spinner Clyde Butts and “Harper, running from square leg to deep midwicket, held a brilliant catch.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 11, 1987
