Auckland were on the verge on a stunning come-from-behind victory over Otago at the end of the third day at Dunedin. They followed on after crashing to 101 in response to Otago's first-innings total of 268 - but they managed 278. In response, Otago, needing 112 for victory, slipped to 93 for 9. Auckland's respectable second-innings score was boosted by a boundary-studded knock of 84 by Keeley Todd, who hit 15 fours and a six in 92 balls. Then Gareth Shaw, Aaron Barnes and Andrew McKay devastated Otago with three wickets each. Otago still need 19 with a wicket in hand.
Canterbury, 158 for 4 in their second innings and still 96 behind Central Districts's first-innings total of 499, were - in a nutshell - in deep trouble. After being dismissed for 245, they were asked to follow on by CD, who quickly reduced them to 28 for 3. Peter Fulton and Gary Stead (47 not out) then added 111 before Regan West dismissed Fulton for 91. It was Fulton's second-half century on the day, following his patient 60 in the morning. Andrew Ellis outscored him then with 76 in 111 balls with five sixes and seven fours.
Wellington set Northern Districts a target of 264 after scoring 255 on the third day of their encounter at the Basin Reserve. ND's openers hung on for 11 overs at the day's end, scoring four runs. Wellington's top order got starts but none, barring Stuart Mills (64), built on their efforts. The lower order was left to play around Mills and add respectibility to the score. Between them, the last five scored 149.