Report

Bowlers put Wellington on top

A round-up of the third day's play in the first round of State Championship matches

Cricinfo staff
07-Dec-2005
Canterbury181(McLean 53*) and 0 for 0 trail Wellington 512 for 9 dec by 331
Scorecard
Wellington bowled themselves into a position of complete control against Canterbury at the Village Green, Christchurch. After day two was wrecked by rain and a late start on day three, Wellington took their score through to 512 before dismissing Canterbury for a paltry 181. Only Nixon McLean impressed, scoring an unbeaten half century (53 not out) on his Canterbury debut. Mark Gillespie (3 for 53), Iain O'Brien (3 for 34) and Grant Elliott (3 for 45) were the pick of the bowlers. Canterbury were 0 for 0 following on.
Northern Districts 229 and 104 for 5 trail Otago 448 by 115 runs
Scorecard
Otago will be hoping to return to Harry Barker Reserve tomorrow to perform last rites on an outclassed Northern Districts side. Already leading by 219 on the first innings, Otago had Northern in all sorts of trouble at stumps on the third day at 104 for 5. By close of play Daniel Flynn (28 not out) and Joseph Yovich (23 not out) were attempting a salvage job but the odds were stacked against them. The only disappointing factor for Otago was Aaron Redmond failed in his bid for a century. Stranded on 99 not out overnight, he was trapped in front by Graeme Aldridge, a national prospect, without adding to his score. Northern's batsmen could get no change from Otago's seam attack and for the second time in the match suffered a top-order collapse. Both David Sewell and Warren McSkimming picked up two wickets
Central Districts224 and 200 for 3 (Sinclair 61, Barnett 61, Ingram 55) lead Auckland 327 by 97runs
Scorecard
A draw looks the most likely option in the Central Districts-Auckland match at McLean Park. Facing a 103-run deficit on the first innings, Central had batted themselves into a position of some comfort at 200 for 3 at stumps. Mathew Sinclair, the New Zealand discard, made an accomplished 61, before Peter Ingram (55) and Geoff Barnett (61 not out) joined in a stand of 95 for the third wicket. Kerry Walmsley has two of the three wickets to fall. Auckland should have been in a much better position but batted so slowly yesterday that an outright victory is now no more than a long shot. Its 327 was scored in 130 overs with Michael Mason taking 3 for 42 off 29 overs and Brendon Diamanti 5 for 82 off 30 overs.