Canterbury restrict Central despite Ingram ton

Peter Ingram struck a defiant 119 but Central Districts were bowled out for 264 by Canterbury on the first day of their State Championship match at Christchurch. At stumps, Canterbury were 12 without loss. Central Districts kept losing wickets at regular intervals and their largest partnership was 63 for the fifth wicket between Ingram and Greg Hay who made 41. For Canterbury, Leighton Burtt, Sunnie Chan, Chris Harris and Nathan Astle took two wickets apiece.

James Marshall and Mark Orchard struck half-centuries to steer Northern Districts to 278 for 7 on the first day against Auckland at Eden Park. Marshall's 56 and Orchard's 59 were supported by several other useful contributions. At stumps, Peter McGlashan was unbeaten on 45. Andre Adams was the best of Auckland's bowlers. He accounted for the Northern Districts middle order and finished the day with 4 for 46. Lance Shaw chipped in with 2 for 62.

Although Otago were dismissed for 270 on the opening day, they grabbed the advantage by reducing Wellington to 5 for 2 before the end of the day at Dunedin. Neil Broom top-scored for Otago with 67 and while several other batsmen got starts but no-one converted them into scores. Mark Gillespie and Scott Rasmussen took three wickets apiece for Otago and Jeetan Patel chipped in with 2 for 28. Mathew Harvie gave Otago the perfect start with the ball by taking two wickets in the first over to leave Wellington at 0 for 2.