Parlane brothers bolster Wellington

A century from Peter Ingram was the one bright spot for Central Districts after they won the toss and chose to bat against Auckland in their State Shield match at McLean Park in Napier. Only two other batsmen made it to double figures as Central Districts collapsed to 181 all out. Chris Martin, the 33-year-old swing bowler, was the wrecker-in-chief for Auckland, picking up 5 for 48. He was well supported by Andre Adams, who picked up three wickets. When it was their turn to bat Auckland found the going tough initially, losing three wickets for only 35 runs, but managed to fight back through Rob Nicol (36 not out) and Colin de Grandhomme (65 not out), who added an unbeaten 100-run-plus stand for the fourth wicket, taking Auckland to 137 for 3.

Otago put on a healthy 366 with one wicket still in hand at the end of the first day of their State Shield match against Northern Districts. After being put in to bat at the University Oval in Dunedin, Otago suffered an early wobble, being reduced to 49 for 3. But then, Neil Broom (61) and Gareth Hopkins (110) added 94 for the fourth wicket. Even when Broom was dismissed Hopkins continued on, hitting 11 fours and a six on the way to his century. When he was dismissed, the last man to go on the day, Otago had managed to push their score on to 366 for 9.

A century from Michael Parlane, the Wellintgon captain, helped his team get to 314 for 8 against Canterbury, but had it not been for his innings, Leighton Burtt's 5 for 30 might well have put Canterbury right on top. After winning the toss and chosing to bat at the Basin Reserve, Wellington lost the experienced Matthew Bell for a duck, and then soon after Sam Fairley, the other opener, departed. Michael Parlane, batting at No. 3, took control of proceedings, spending more than four-and-a-half hours at the crease for his 116, and shared in a 139-run stand with his brother, Neal Parlane, who chipped in with 52. At the end of the day, Wellington reached 314 for 8.