Tough day for the batsmen

Close Otago 41 for 3 v Northern Districts

After a fairly long dry spell, the rains returned to interrupt play on the first day of the State Championship match between Otago and Northern Districts. Just as players walked onto the field for the start of the match, it started to rain and a brief break was taken. When the players returned, there was time for the Northern Districts top order to be put to the test by Warren McSkimming.

McSkimming only bowled nine overs and ended with 3 for 16, claiming the wickets of Nick Horsley (4), James Marshall (6) and Mark Orchard (3). Matthew Hart, on 18, and Hamish Marshall, on 9, face the task of getting ND out of trouble when play resumes in what are expected to be better conditions.

Close Auckland 39 for 3 trail Wellington 201 by 162 runs

Auckland's bowling might have been at less than full strength with Kyle Mills and Andre Adams unavailable, but Kerry Walmsley and Paul Hitchcock proved more than adequate replacements, as Wellington were bowled out for 201. Wellington's middle order resisted, with Luke Woodcock (23), Neal Parlane (40), Chris Nevin (34) and James Franklin (34) all getting starts, but none of them could go on and get a substantial score. Walmsley finished with 4 for 45 off his 18 overs while Hitchcock took 3 for 27.

However, Auckland found out just what the Wellington batsmen had been going through, as they slumped to 18 for 3 with Andrew Penn dismissing Shane Singe and Matt Horne in the space of three balls. At stumps, Llorne Howell, making his first appearance for the season, was on 10, with Rob Nicol on 13. Penn had 2 for 20 from six overs while Franklin had 1 for 9.

Close Canterbury 104 for 3 trail Central Districts 196 (Sinclair 62) by 92 runs

Canterbury had good reward when winning the toss and bowling at Palmerston North's Fitzherbert Park, dismissing Central Districts for 196. Mathew Sinclair was the top scorer for CD, scoring 62 in 214 minutes. He shared a 70-run stand with Craig Spearman, while Ross Taylor played a typically breezy innings of 25 from 24 balls. Michael Mason also chimed in with 25 in nearly an hour's batting later in the innings. Stephen Cunis caused the early problems for CD and finished the day with 4 for 69. Chris Harris took 3 for 15 and Chris Martin 3 for 41.

Canterbury then got into some strife themselves, despite 22 scored by Brendon McCullum and Michael Papps, the two openers. At 65 for 3, Harris and Gary Stead worked their way out of immediate danger and got through to 104 by stumps, with Harris on 25 not out and Stead on 16.