A fighting 121 by Jacob Martin led the fightback to help West Zone post 364 for 6 wickets at the end of the third day of their Duleep Trophy match against Central Zone at the Vidarbha CA ground in Nagpur on Saturday.

Resuming at 94 for 2, overnight batsmen Martin and Wasim Jaffer proceeded slowly to forge a 136-run partnership for the third wicket. Jaffer was a trifle unlucky to be caught by the substitute fielder Devendra Bundela of Kulamani Parida when he was on 94. During his 213-minute stay at the crease, Jaffer faced 169 balls while finding the boundary ropes on 15 occasions.

The fall of Jaffer brought Abijit Kale to the crease and he and Martin took the score to 289, when Parida castled him. Three overs later Martin himself fell to a catch by Raza Ali off Kanwat. During his 291-minute stay at the wicket, Martin faced 194 balls and found the signboards 19 times. West Zone skipper Nayan Mongia did precious little and with only five runs added to the total he departed after being bowled by Kanwat.

But the seventh wicket pair of Sairaj Bahutule (17 not out) and Niraj Patel (41) put on an unbeaten 64-run partnership to help West Zone to stumps without further damage.

© CricInfo