Wisneski's all-round effort keeps Canterbury in control

Canterbury began and ended day two in complete control of this second round Shell trophy match and Warren Wisneski had a day to remember.

Batting in the wake of a middle order collapse Wisneski batted sensibly at first and then aggressively when running out of partners, to score an undefeated 58. He then claimed the first three Auckland wickets, all bowled, in a superb 13 over spell.

Earlier, Auckland had threatened to break Canterbury's stranglehold on the match with a gallant first session fightback that cheaply removed Canterbury's middle order and thwarted any designs Chris Harris had of scoring his third first-class double century.

Auckland's revival would have been more meritorious if it hadn't been just that - a revival. Taking four wickets for 86 runs in a 35 over session would normally be cause for jubilation, but a glance at a full scoreboard that read 388/7 would have been enough to stifle any lunch-time changing tent giggles.

The wickets were shared between the impressive Drum (2), Adams and Canning, which was good for two reasons. Firstly, they all fully deserved a reward for their honest endeavour in trying conditions. And secondly, there would have been no justice in part-time pie thrower Lou Vincent buying a wicket with his own peculiar version of off-spin.

Vincent's 20.3 overs cost 84 runs but his ineffectiveness as a spin bowler was more an indictment of the Auckland selectors than of the player. As early as the first hour on day one Auckland's failure to include a genuine spin bowling option in its attack looked to be a mistake.

Gareth Hopkins (48) and Wisneski (58 not out) arrested the collapse of the Canterbury innings, which was finally ended by Auckland just prior to the scheduled tea break.

Defending 477, Wisneski, in his first over managed to achieve what the Auckland bowlers had not in their two attempts - take a wicket with the new ball.

John Aiken, opening in place of the injured Blair Pocock, was comprehensively bowled by the last ball of Wisneski's first over. With Pocock's further participation in the match in doubt Auckland was effectively two for none and not so much staring down a very big barrel, as climbing right inside it and goading Canterbury into pulling the trigger.

It got worse for Auckland as Richard King's ambitious pull shot ran off his body and into the stumps.

Dion Nash and classy-looking opener Tim McIntosh set about repairing the damage with a mixture of good judgement, aggressive strokeplay and intelligent running between the wickets. But just prior to drinks in the final session Nash became Wisneski's third victim, also clean bowled when attempting an expansive drive.

Auckland would have gained some encouragement from the ease with which McIntosh (54 not out) and Lou Vincent (20 not out) negotiated the last hour's play.

The tall left-handed McIntosh looks to be a player of genuine quality and Auckland's chances of avoiding the follow on may well rest on his ability to add to his highest first-class score.