Nevin rescues Wellington

Wellington produced an outstanding comeback to avoid following on against Canterbury in their State Championship match at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. Led by Chris Nevin, who was unbeaten on 143 when the innings ended, Wellington finished only 106 runs behind Canterbury on the first innings.

That was largely due to an eighth-wicket stand of 160 between Nevin and Matthew Walker, who scored 68. While they didn't complete the follow-on mission, they ensured there would be no hiccups, and it was Andrew Penn who joined Nevin to see Wellington to safety.

The day was unusual in more ways than one. Play was held up for nearly an hour as a result of the southern sightscreen having blown over during strong overnight winds, and also because one of the umpires, Neil Mallender, who is to stand in the first Test between New Zealand and Pakistan, reporting ill.

Few of the Canterbury bowlers could make any impression on Wellington's pair, although the pick of them was Paul Wiseman who took 5 for 67 from 26 overs. He was included in New Zealand's Test squad announced during the day.

Canterbury did not have a good start to their second innings, losing Brendon McCullum and Michael Papps by the time 21 runs had been scored. Gary Stead, a first-innings century maker, like Papps, was also out at 54. But Peter Fulton and Craig McMillan took Canterbury to stumps at 103 for 3, Fulton being 48 not out and McMillan 18 not out. James Franklin had 2 for 21.