Chougale props South Zone

Deepak Chougale ground out a well-made 97 and prevented the visiting English bowlers from running through South Zone on the opening day of the three-day under-19 cricket match in Madras on Monday.

At close, India were 275 for eight in 96 overs, with Steve Lazarus (15) and Shankara Rao (5) at the crease.

After South Zone elected to bat, the England 'A' bowlers dominated the proceedings, dismissing four batsmen with just 62 on the board.

But then No. 3 batsman Chougule, in the company of V S Suri, took control of the situation. The two kept the bowlers at bay, especially the spinners.

Even the double spin attack -- the left arm combine of Ferley and Paneswar -- did not bear fruit, as the two batsmen went on merrily, adding 134 runs for the fifth wicket before Suri made his exit.

Trying to sweep Ferley, Suri top edged to Peng at leg slip. He made 44 with five hits to the fence.

Chougule too was dismissed just three runs short of a well-deserved century. He played forward to a turning ball from Paneswar, and the resultant snick was held by Peng at first slip.

Chougule's 97 came in 238 minutes off 179 balls and contained 13 boundaries. Pattison (2 for 40) and Ferley (2 for 53) were the main wicket-takers.

Mail Cricket Editor