Redmond and Broom rescue Otago

Aaron Redmond and Neil Broom led Otago's strong reply to Northern Districts' score of 523 with unbeaten half centuries on the second day at Hamilton's Seddon Park . Both rescued Otago from an embarrassing position at 14 for 3 - with seamer Graeme Aldridge picking all three - to lift the side to 209 without any further loss of wickets. Redmond needs five more to complete a century while Broom was undefeated on 86 at stumps. Earlier, Hamish Marshall scored 119 to propel Northern Districts to a challenging total. Nick Horsley and Simon Andrews chipped in with half-centuries before James Marshall declared.

Half centuries by the middle order helped Canterbury pile on a massive 613 for 7 against Wellington on the second day at Christchurch . Michael Papps overnight on 160, fell 12 short of a double hundred but the middle order combination of Ben Rae, Kruger van Wyk and Iain Robertson then frustrated the bowlers. Robertson and Brandon Hiini boosted the total past 600, allowing Chris Harris to declare. Wellington got off to a steady start with the openers adding 55 at stumps.

Chris Martin and Andre Adams shared nine wickets between them to give Auckland a 90-run first-innings lead against Central Districts at the Eden Park Outer Oval. Martin claimed his second consecutive five-wicket haul while Adams took four wickets to restrict Central Districts to 224. The visitors were in trouble at 132 for 8 before Gregory Hegglun and Robbie Schaw added 82 to lift the side. Hagglin was unbeaten on 52, with seven fours and a six, when Adams wrapped up the innings. Auckland extended their lead to 167 as they ended the day at 77 for 1. Richard Jones, after his century in the first innings, looked in ominous touch yet again with an unbeaten 57.