Just when it was thought that South Zone have gotten over that final from last year, the approach on the third day proves that they haven’t yet forgotten the final from last year
On a day where they could have tightened the noose on North Zone, they let the things drift, slowed the pace of the game and virtually have left a door open for North Zone to get in
That it was the doing of the batsmen themselves is the fact that will rankle them tonight. Except for Ishant, who bowled an inspired spell either side of lunch, there was nothing that other bowlers did. South had to depend on some valuable partnerships from the tail to get to a position of strength
What reflects badly on cricket is that the first change bowler for North Zone was bowling at 117 kmph on an average and his slower balls were clocked at 87 kmph! Despite this South could’t take any advantage
Amit Mishra like Badrinath erred in his field placements but unlike Badrinath, he had to pay heavy price for those mistakes as South got to a lead of 140. Compounded to his field placements was his poor bowling poor bowling performance
North Zone did not seem to learn from their first innings failings as they started off in a slow manner and refused to accelerate the scoring rate towards the end of the day. It may come back to haunt them as they have reached a stage where they have to take control and dictate the situation
As has been the case, the first session will certainly dictate the proceedings tomorrow
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