The strong North Zone batting line up turned on the heat early in their Duleep Trophy semifinal against holders Central Zone at Guwahati on Thursday. At stumps on the opening day of the five day match, North Zone had scored 302 for five off 90 overs.

North Zone skipper Vikram Rathour won a good toss and then he and fellow opener Ashu Dani wasted no time in getting their side off to a good start by putting on 98 runs in 19.4 overs. Ashu Dani, who was the dominant partner, was the first to leave, caught by Mudgal off Bangar for 53. He faced just 55 balls and hit eight fours.

Rathour and Reetinder Singh Sodhi then kept up the pressure on Central Zone by adding 73 runs for the second wicket off 23.5 overs. Rathour was then caught by Jyoti Yadav off Hirwani for 70. The Punjab batsman faced 131 balls and hit eight fours.

The dismissal of Rathour did not bring any respite for Central Zone for Sodhi and Dharmani then got together for a third wicket stand that added 89 runs off 27.5 overs. Then Sodhi after making 88 was caught by Mudgal off Hirwani. He faced 152 balls and hit eleven fours and a six. Shortly afterwards Hirwani took his third straight wicket when he had Dharmani caught by Gandhe for 52. The in form Dharmani faced 135 balls and hit five of them to the ropes. Virendra Shewag who hit a double century in the previous game against South Zone did not last long and was bowled by Gandhe for 10. Rajiv Nayyar (13) and Dinesh Mongia (2) were together at stumps. Hirwani, the 31-year-old former Indian leg spinner was the only bowler to make an impression and was rewarded with three wickets for 71 runs from 25 overs.

© CricInfo