James Franklin decimates Central Districts

Rain followed Auckland's cricketers home as just 17 overs were possible in their match against Northern Districts on Eden Park's outer oval. Northern got through to 47 for 1, with former Aucklander Nick Horsley the only wicket to fall, leg before to Chris Martin for 18. The desperately out of form James Marshall battled through to be 13 not out off 47 balls when play was called off. Auckland's round two match against Canterbury in Christchurch was ruined by rain.

Bowlers dominated proceedings at the Basin Reserve as high-flying Wellington hosted bottom-of-the-table Central Districts. James Franklin, who struggled for form against Australia recently, decimated the Central batting, taking 7 for 30 off 16.5 overs. Only Mathew Sinclair (31), Jacob Oram (41) and allrounder Ewen Thompson (47) got starts as Central stumbled through to 181 in conditions tailor-made for swing bowling. When Wellington batted things didn't improve. Michael Mason, Lance Hamilton and Oram ripped through the top order with Luke Woodcock offering resistance with 35. Stephen Fleming, the New Zealand captain, was caught behind off Oram for just 6. At stumps Wellington were 102 for 7 with Franklin on 27.

The bowlers also held sway in Dunedin as Otago hosted a star-studded Canterbury side. Otago slumped to 146 all out, with Shane Bond, New Zealand fast bowler, picking up 4 for 13 off 12.4 overs. Wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins top scored with 40. Canterbury's top order fared no better. The out-of-form Nathan Astle and Craig McMillan posted just one run apiece as the visitors slumped to 72 for 5. However Brendon McCullum launched a vicious assault on the bowlers, in particular Jonathan Trott, to score a half-century off just 35 balls. At stumps Canterbury were 147 for 5. McCullum finished 53 not out and Chris Cairns 22 not out.