Saxena, Naman put Central on top

Mohali: Central Zone's MP duo of Jalaj Saxena and wicketkeeper batsman Naman Ojha took full advantage of dropped catches sending an inexperienced North Zone attack to the cleaners as they posted 344 for three at stumps, on the first day of their Duleep Trophy semi-final, here on Wednesday.

Opener Jalaj struck 110 while glovesman Ojha in the form of his life, remained undefeated on 122 as none of the North bowlers deployed by captain Gautam Gambhir could create an impact on a placid PCA Stadium track on the day.

North Zone fielders dropped as many as four catches with Ojha being dropped twice on 12 and 27 off Yuzvendra Chahal and Rishi Dhawan's bowling. The offenders were Parvinder Awana at mid-on in the first case and wicketkeeper Nitin Saini in the second case.

In fact Saxena also got a reprieve on personal score of 75 while Ashok Menaria (53 batting) was also dropped once. Ojha in fact served a timely reminder to the selectors, that he still is in the mix, with scores of 219 not out, 101 not out, 110 and 122 batting in his last four first-class innings.

Brief Scores: Central Zone 344/3 in 90 overs (Naman Ojha 122 batting, Jalaj Saxena 110, Ashok Menaria 53 batting, Rishi Dhawan 2/93) vs North Zone.