Duleep Trophy 2007-08

All to play for in final leg of league phase

Cricinfo staff

February 10, 2008

	Michael Carberry has been in excellent form, scoring 264 runs in his last two games for England Lions © Getty Images

The final leg of the league phase of the Duleep Trophy kicks off on Monday with all four teams involved having a chance of making the final in Mumbai.

In Group A, East Zone and North Zone, who have both won their games against South Zone, clash in Rajkot, while Group B's table-toppers England Lions take on West Zone in Vadodara.

The Lions are best placed to advance, with a two-point lead over second-placed West, and only need to avoid defeat to qualify for the title clash. They will also be buoyed by the two wins they have notched up since arriving in India, especially their successful pursuit of a stiff 296 in the fourth innings against Central Zone [the other win was in a tour game against a Mumbai Cricket Association XI].

Lions' fast bowler Steve Kirby, though, was wary of West, who have a strong side with several players with international experience like Parthiv Patel and Ramesh Powar. "Tomorrow's game is going to be the hardest we have on the tour," he told PA Sport. "We know that they have got a lot of fantastic cricketers in their side. I think we'd be wrong not to be thinking about both those players. But if we stick to our basics and stick to our confident way of playing, it isn't going to matter who we come up against."

In the other game, North, with their experienced batting line-up, will be confident after their commanding performance against South. With both North and East tied on five points, a draw after gaining the first-innings lead will be enough for either side to go through.

© Cricinfo

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