Gillespie comes good for Wellington

Wellington took the honours on the first day, dismissing Auckland for 223 in their State Championship match at Eden Park. Mark Gillespie, the paceman, took four wickets and exploited the conditions well after his side opted to bowl first. Reece Young, the wicketkeeper top-scored with an unbeaten 54 while Lou Vincent was dismissed for a quick-fire 41 off 37 balls. DeWayne Bowden, the left-arm paceman, chipped in with three wickets. In reply, Wellington ended the day on 73 for 2 with Michael Parlene and Jesse Ryder at the crease.

Chris Harris played a captain's innings of 119 to take Canterbury past the 400-mark in their first innings on the second day of their State Championship match against Central Districts at Christchurch. Harris, resuming on his overnight score of 55, found good support from the lower order, particularly from Hamish Bennett, as the pair added 48 for the last wicket before declaring at 406 for 9. His innings was studded with 17 fours and a six. Central ended on 158 for 3 with half-centuries by Jarrod Englefield (63) and Mathew Sinclair (55). Bennett, the fast-medium bowler from the Under-19 squad, picked up all three wickets.

The honours were even at the end of the second day's play in the State Championship match between Otago and Northern Districts at Dunedin, as Otago restricted the opposition to 185 for 6. Earlier, Mark Orchard ran out of partners and was stranded ten short of his century as Otago were bowled out for 235, adding just 13 to their overnight score. Orchard then accounted for Craig Cumming early in Otago's reply. Jordan Sheed, the opener scored 75 and made the most in a second-wicket stand of 78 before falling to Bruce Martin, the slow left-arm bowler. Martin bowled economically throughout and took three wickets and helped Northern pull things back before bad light ended play.