Cumming's ton in vain as Canterbury win

A century from Craig Cumming could not help Otago avert a loss against Canterbury in their match at the Village Green in Christchurch. Faced with a massive fourth-innings target of 438 Otago managed a solid start, with Cumming leading from the front at the top of the order. But his 118 was the only real bright spot in the innings, save 58 from Aaron Redmond at No. 3. But from a steady 214 for 1, when both Redmond and Cumming were dismissed, the slump began. No other batsman would manage 40, and the partnerships simply failed to happen. In 111.5 overs Otago were all out for 318, handing Canterbury victory by 119 runs. Andrew Ellis, who picked up three wickets, was the most successful bowler.

A strong second innings batting performance helped paper over the first innings collapse as Wellington managed a comfortable win over Auckland in their match at the Basin Reserve. If Wellington's second innings 390 had given Auckland some hope of chasing down the target of 320, it was erased by the new-ball pairing of Iain O' Brien and Michael Burns. O' Brian had 5 for 62 and Burns 4 for 44 as Auckland's batsmen wilted. Only a late 70 from Reece Adams, the wicketkeeper, gave the innings some semblance of respectability. Auckland were rolled over for 172, and Wellington had won by 146 runs.

Northern Districts pulled of the only successful chase of the latest round of the State Championships as they lost only two wickets in knocking off the 109 runs needed for victory in their match against Central Districts at Gisborne. The bulk of the work was done when they restricted Central Districts to 318, leaving themselves with a manageable target to chase. Graeme Aldridge picked up five wickets and then when they came out to bat, Nick Horsely helped himself to a half century as the required 109 runs came off only 17.3 overs.