
Michael Carberry punched the air as the ball set off for a boundary, splitting mid-wicket and mid-on. The down-the-track on-drive against left-arm spinner Praveen Gupta took the southpaw from 99 to 103, and set the stage for England Lions’ win over Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy match here.
The Lions won the tie by five wickets and require only a draw against West Zone in their next match, beginning February 11, to reach the final. The West, however, need an outright win to make it the final.
Despite a first innings lead of 115 runs, Central allowed the Lions to come back into the game. Central needed some quick wickets in the morning and struck in the second with seamer Pankaj Singh sending overnight batsman Michael Yardy (57, 7X4) back to the hut. Thereafter, Carberry and Ed Joyce (54) tackled the seamers tactfully — putting up a 98 runs partnership for the third wicket.
Central, then, dealt three quick blows with the Lions slumping to 249/5. Jon Trott (28 not out) and Adil Rashid (24 not out), however, ensured Lions their victory.
Central were guilty of not holding on to chances that came their way. Carberry was dropped twice — at second slip by Jalal Saxena when he was on 8 and by Sanjay Bangar at third slip when on 83.
Brief scores: Central Zone 270 & 180 (Kaif 42; Graham Onions 3/40, Adil Rashid 2/3, Alan Richardson 2/50 vs England Lions 155 & 297/5 (Michael Carberry 112, Michael Yardy 57, Ed Joyce 54; Sumit Mathur 3/25).






