Auckland wrap up eight-wicket victory

Auckland completed a comprehensive eight-wicket victory against Central Districts on the third day at McLean Park in Napier. Auckland needed only 40 to win in the second innings and they knocked off the target for the loss of two wickets. Central Districts had begun the third day on 114 for 4, still trailing by 35 runs. They lost wickets at regular intervals and slipped to 188 all out. Lance Shaw took a career-best haul of 5 for 63 for Auckland.

Bradley-John Watling struck his maiden first-class century but got no support from the middle order as Northern Districts conceded a 67-run first-innings lead to Otago at Dunedin. Northern began the day on 181 for 3 with Watling on 85. He went on to score 153 off 411 balls but Northern were dismissed for 337. In reply, Otago ended the day on 21 without loss for an overall lead of 88. With only one day remaining, something extraordinary will be required to produce a result.

Jesse Ryder struck 112 off 161 balls to extend Wellington's lead to 286 against Canterbury on the third day at Basin Reserve in Wellington. Ryder's century was the only contribution of note in Wellington's second innings as they lost wickets at frequent intervals. The Parlane brothers - Michael and Neal - contributed 34 and 21 respectively as Wellington ended the day on 213 for 7. Earlier Canterbury had begun the day on 204 for 4 but lost Andrew Ellis early in the morning. Ben Rae and Kruger van Wyk scored 23 and 33 to push the score to 292, handing Wellington a first-innings lead of 73.