Jones hundred rescues Auckland

Richard Jones, the Auckland captain, scored 143 out of a total of 314 against Central Districts at Eden Park.. Put in to bat, the hosts began well, with an opening stand of 71 between Tim McIntosh (15) and Jones and a second-wicket stand between Jones and Martin Guptill (65), but from 198 for 1 they lost their last nine wickets for 116 runs in 34 overs. Greg Hegglun, the right-arm medium-pacer, led the way with 4 for 54, while Robbie Schaw and Brent Hefford claimed two wickets each.

Michael Papps, Canterbury's opener, continued his impressive form with an unbeaten hundred on day one of his side's match against Wellington at Christchurch. Papps' 160 helped Canterbury to 372 for 3 after they were asked to bat, and he added 201 with fellow opener Todd Astle, who fell three runs short of a maiden first-class hundred. Shanan Stewart (8) and Andrew Ellis (25) failed to get going, but Papps battled on. He finished the day with Chris Harris (13 not out) at the crease. Grant Elliott, the right-arm fast bowler, removed Astle and Ellis, and Michael Burns dismissed Stewart.

BJ Watling's 104 and 90 from Alun Evans boosted State Championship-leading Northern Districts to a healthy 331 for 4 against Otago at Hamilton's Seddon Park. Watling's second first-class hundred formed the crux of a solid top-order effort, with Brad Wilson scoring 37 in an opening stand of 94, and the Evans-Watling stand adding 146 for the second wicket. Opening bowlers James McMillan picked up 2 for 67 for the visitors.