A day of partnerships

Michael Papps: gave Canterbury a good start before things began to unravel © Getty Images

Otago 348 for 9 (McSkimming 111, Scott 96*, Walmsley 4-73) v Auckland
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Kerry Walmsley and Tama Canning rocked the Otago top order, reducing them to 137 for 8 at one stage. Otago had won the toss and opted the bat, and despite the start, Warren McSkimming and Bradley Scott vindicated that decision. The two batsmen added 208 for the ninth wicket before McSkimming was bowled by Aaron Barnes for 111. Scott remained not out on 96, but with just one man for company on the second morning.

Wellington 321 for 3 (Parlane 132, Bell 114*) v Central Districts
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Michael Parlane and Matthew Bell put Wellington comfortably on top in the match at Napier, adding 215 runs, Wellington's highest partnership for the second wicket against Central Districts.Bell finished the day unbeaten on 114, while Glen Sulzberger was the most successful bowler, with 2 for 52 to his credit.

Canterbury 265 for 8 (M Papps 74, Ellis 68*, Martin 3-33, Davis 3-61) v Northern Districts
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Canterbury got off to a wonderful start at Gisborne, where they won the toss, chose to bat, and notched up 103 runs for the first wicket. But the opening partnership between the Papps brothers, Tim and Michael, was broken when Tim was caught behind off the bowling of Te Ahu Davis, and the innings unravelled thereafter. Michael Papps made 74, but Andrew Ellis, with 68 not out, was the only other batsman to hang in there. At close of play, Canterbury were 265 for 8, a far cry from where they had appeared likely to end up after the first third of the day.