Papps's unbeaten ton lifts Canterbury

Michael Papps scored an unbeaten 143 to lift Canterbury to 279 for 5 against Otago at the Village Green in Christchurch. Papps, who has played six Tests for New Zealand, and fellow opener Todd Astle got the side off to a good start, adding 111. Otago struck twice, removing Shanan Stewart and Andrew Ellis with the score at 147. Chris Harris, the captain, joined Papps and the pair added 57. Kruger van Wyk, the overseas player from South Africa, was unbeaten on 13 at stumps.

Seventeen wickets tumbled on the opening day at the Basin Reserve in Wellington with seamers Chris Martin and Iain O'Brien sharing the spoils for Auckland and Wellington respectively. Michael Parlane's decision to bat first backfired as Wellington were bundled out for just 103 with Martin picking four wickets and Andre Adams chipping in with three. The middle order made starts but failed to convert any into bigger scores. O'Brien struck back for Wellington with a six-wicket haul to reduce the visitors to 157 for 7 at stumps with a lead of 54. Reece Young resisted with an unbeaten 51 with ten fours and his stand of 78 with Martin Guptill rescued the side after they were in trouble at 67 for 5.

Mathew Sinclair and Greg Hay struck half centuries as Central Districts were bowled out for 305 against Northern Districts on the opening day at Gisborne. Sinclair walked in after Peter Ingram fell in the third over to seamer Graeme Aldridge and he proceeded to share half-century stands with Jamie How (worth 55) and Hay (worth 97). Sinclair fell for 78 and Hay made 66 but once they were dismissed, Northerns clawed back as they picked the last five wickets for 77 runs. Aldridge finished with figures of 4 for 65. In reply, Northern Districts batted out the final 15 minutes without losing a wicket.