Auckland go to the top of the State Shield table with a four-wicket victory over Northern Districts that seemed against the odds when ND were 133 for two, when rain threatened to end the game and when more than seven an over were needed with eight

Central Districts beat Northern Districts by 100 runs at Westpac Park in Hamilton to go to second in the State Shield table with four rounds to play

A one-day best of 89 by Daniel Vettori was the foundation of a 43-run State Shield victory for Northern Districts over Wellington at Westpac Park in Hamilton today

Otago beat an insipid Northern Districts by 79 runs in round four of the State Shield at Smallbone Park in Rotorua today to go top of the table

Northern Districts beat Canterbury by three wickets with a ball to spare in a thrilling State Shield finish at Taupo today

New Zealand Test Cricket Captains by Matthew Appleby

Now that the focus of everyone involved in New Zealand cricket is back on the field of play nobody has more reason to relish the prospect of a new season than Northern Districts captain Robbie Hart

Northern Districts beat Otago by an innings and 28 runs at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton

A famous innings of 212 not out by Scott Styris dominated the third day of the State Championship match between Northern Districts and Otago at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton

Two century partnerships dominated the second day as Northern Districts moved into a commanding position against Otago, whose position at the foot of the State Championship was confirmed

Rain meant that only 45 overs were bowled on the first day of the State Championship match between Northern Districts and Otago at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton

Auckland took 45 minutes to secure victory against Central Districts at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North

Auckland dominated the second day of their State Championship match against Central Districts at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North

Twenty-one wickets fell on the first day of the match between Central Districts and Auckland at Fitzhebert Park, Palmerston North

A match that began (or rather, did not begin) in uncertainty, progressed slowly and ended controversially as Central Districts beat Northern Districts by three wickets

A devastating spell of five for 10 from seven overs from Michael Mason provided the most exciting cricket of this State Championship match and has left Central Districts expecting to win the game tomorrow

The second day proceeded as the first had done, at the leisurely pace of little more than two an over

A marathon innings of 75 from 276 balls by Joseph Yovich dominated the first day's play between Northern Districts and Central Districts at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton

Lights off in Hamilton

In a match in which some of the best batting came from the lower order, it was fitting that the winning runs were struck by a No 11