Mishra spins North to resounding win

North Zone 358 (Dhawan 117, Ricky 106, Yashpal 51*, Cremer 7-114) beat Zimbabwe President's XI 94 (Joginder 6-21, Mishra 4-16) and 257 (Coventry 73, Mazakadza 52, Mishra 4-74) by an innings and 7 runs
Scorecard

Amit Mishra and Sarandeep Singh spun North Zone to an emphatic win over the visiting Zimbabwe President's XI on the third day of the Duleep Trophy clash at the Wankhede Stadium at Mumbai. Mishra, the legspinner from Haryana, wrapped up the lower order to finish with 4 for 74 from 27.1 overs. Resuming the day at 50 for 1, the Zimbabweans lost Vusi Sibanda with only eight runs added, and lost wickets at regular intervals as Mishra and Sarandeep bowled a tight line. Only Charles Coventry (73) and Hamilton Masakadza (53) offered resistance, while Blessing Mahwire did his best to shepherd the tail with an unbeaten 32.

After being dismissed for just 94 by Joginder Sharma and Mishra on the first day, the Zimbabweans were always on the backfoot trying to play catch-up. They had done well to restrict North to 358 after Ravneet Ricky and Shikhar Dhawan slammed hundreds and added 220 for the opening wicket, thanks to Graeme Cremer's 7-wicket haul, but in the end a 264-run lead proved too much for the tourists.

North got a bonus point too for their victory and ended their engagement in the three-team league with five points. They await the last group clash between East Zone, who had beaten them outright at Rajkot, and Zimbabwe which is scheduled to be held at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai from November 4.