Central Districts in sight of victory

3rd Day Central Districts 291 and 61 for 1 trail Otago 193 and 278 (C Cumming 125, J Wilson 34, A Schwass 3-33, G Sulzberger 3-67) by 119 runs
Scorecard

Craig Cumming scored the ninth century of his first-class career to ensure that Otago would set Central Districts a target on the final day of their match at Queenstown tomorrow. However, his 125 was largely a solitary effort of defiance that lasted for 423 minutes. Support, albeit limited, was provided by Aaron Redmond (30), Jordan Sheed (22) and Jeff Wilson (34). But Central Districts kept the pressure on all day, with runs earned at a premium.

Glen Sulzberger sent down 28 overs for figures of 3 for 67, while Andrew Schwass was accuracy personified taking 3 for 33 off 18 overs. Otago would have been disappointed not to have set a higher target for CD. With over a day left to play, the requirement was only 181 runs. However, the weather may yet prove an ally for the home team as the forecast is not the greatest.

Should play be possible, CD have lessened the amount of work they will need to do as they reached 61 for 1 at stumps with Jamie How, the first-innings centurion, not out on 28 and Geoff Barnett, who marked his debut with a duck in the first innings, on 27.

3rd Day Wellington 384 and 103 for 6 lead Canterbury 298-8 dec (S Stewart 82, S Cunis 59, H Shaw 47, I O'Brien 4-91) by 189 runs
Scorecard

Conditions favoured the bowlers at Hagley Oval on Thursday with 12 wickets falling. Canterbury declared 86 runs behind Wellington's first-innings total of 384. Shanan Stewart held the innings together after the loss of three wickets for one run had left Canterbury reeling at 98 for six.

Stewart went on to achieve his best score (82) at this level, and his stand with Stephen Cunis, who scored 59, was worth 92. Hayden Shaw, the former New Zealand hockey international who has decided to concentrate on his cricket, made 47.

Canterbury's bowlers then came out full of intent, and the Wellington batsmen were soon reeling. Chris Martin, despite a stomach bug, bowled a superb nine-over spell to take 3 for 12. He had Michael Parlane caught by wicketkeeper Tim Papps for a duck, while Matthew Bell was trapped leg before wicket for four by Stephen Cunis. Martin then trapped Luke Woodcock lbw for 17, and had Jesse Ryder well caught by Peter Fulton for 0.

Cunis provided solid back-up to have 2 for 25 by stumps, while Paul Wiseman, the offspinner, bowled 10 overs for nine runs and Sam Fairley's wicket. Standing amid the debris of the innings was Neal Parlane, who restrained his attacking intent for 168 minutes to be unconquered on 41 at stumps.