Central Districts and Canterbury struggle

Canterbury, the front-runners, and Central Districts struggled on the second day of the State Championship matches, as Otago and Wellington took a firm grip.

2nd day close Central Districts 63 and 15 for 0 need another 414 to beat Wellington 181 and 310 (Gillespie 76, Nevin 65; Thompson 4-94)
Scorecard

This match proved to be as changeable as New Zealand's summer weather, and while CD need to score a record 429 to win the game, such has been the way the game has been played that its success cannot be ruled out.

Wellington recovered well from a poor start to their second innings, which saw them collapse to 80 for 5. But Chris Nevin, who has represented New Zealand, scored 65 during a good stand with Luke Woodcock (31) that took them to 178 for 7.

And the Wellington lower-order piled on the runs, Mark Gillespie hitting 76 not out off 86 balls, while Matthew Walker scored 47 as they finished with 310. Ewen Thompson followed his first-day haul of seven wickets with four in the second innings, for match figures of 11 for 149.

CD, 15 without loss at stumps, need 414 more, with two days remaining.

2nd day close Canterbury 159 for 5 (Harris 63) trail Otago 336 (Wasim 66, Lawson 50; Ellis 5-63) by 177 runs
Scorecard

Canterbury, the State Championship front-runners, were struggling to keep out Otago after the second day of play at Alexandra. Otago carried on from their overnight score of 278 for 5, with Gareth Hopkins scoring 36 and Warren McSkimming 18.

The inexperienced Andrew Ellis was the most consistent of Canterbury's bowlers, and his reward was a maiden five-wicket haul (5-63). Stephen Cunis (3-54) and Warren Wisneski (2-63) completed the medium-fast bowlers' domination of the wicket-taking.

In reply, Canterbury were reeling at 11 for 3, before some sanity was restored. Peter Fulton and Chris Harris carried the score through to 100 before Fulton was out for 33. Harris was finally dismissed for 63 by Jeff Wilson, and at stumps, Canterbury were still 177 in arrears.

1st day close Northern Districts 187 for 2 (Marshall 78) trail Auckland 283 (Horne 118) by 96 runs
Scorecard

Auckland, bidding for a place in the Championship final, will be wary of the threat posed by a Northern Districts team that has finally achieved some credibility in its batting. After Matt Horne scored 118, and Auckland's tenth-wicket pair added 43 valuable runs, Northern Districts replied in spirited fashion.

James Marshall scored 78, while Nick Horsley scored 35. Mark Orchard was 47 not out at stumps.