McCullum gives Canterbury the upper hand

The dreadful form of the Marshall twins was brought into sharp relief after another rain-affected day at Auckland. After two days of this third-round match, Northern Districts laboured through to 234 for 9 against Auckland. James and Hamish Marshall, both trying to hold on to spots in the New Zealand team for the visit to Sri Lanka in the new year, again failed to impress, James battled through to 19 while his brother managed just 2. Chris Martin was the best of the bowlers with 3 for 59.

Wellington look certain to face a fourth-innings chase of more than 300 against Central Districts at the Basin Reserve. Leading by 32 in the first innings Central was 263 for 7 in the second, after Jacob Oram and Ross Taylor led a batting revival after a low-scoring first innings. Oram posted 71 and Taylor 51. Mark Gillespie was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 51.

Canterbury were staring at defeat against their southern rivals Otago after another bowler-dominated day at Carisbrook. Otago were 133 for 9 after trailing by 45 in the first innings. Canterbury's lead was largely thanks to an unbelievable run-a-ball 80 by Brendon McCullum, who was the only batsman who looked comfortable on this pitch. Batting again, Otago struggled, with Chris Cairns snaring 3 for 18 off 14.4 overs.