Rain wipes out any play on day four of State matches
No play was possible in both matches in the New Zealand State Championship
Lynn McConnell
10-Dec-2003
Central Districts 191 and 220 for 3 (How 97*) drew with Northern Districts 445 for 9 dec
Fate dealt Jamie How, the Central Districts batsman, a cruel hand when rain forced the abandonment of the State Championship match with Northern Districts without a ball being bowled on the last day. How, 22, was unbeaten on 97 overnight and missed out on his third first-class century.
To compound the situation, CD failed to win any points from the match. ND assured themselves of first-innings points with their substantial lead of 254.
Auckland 424 drew with Otago 131 for 6 (Gaffaney 42, Barnes 3-12)
There was even less chance of a result being achieved at Auckland where the outer oval at Eden Park was sodden after heavy overnight rain that left pools of water on the outfield. Rain fell throughout the morning and there was no chance of any play at all with Otago struggling at 131 for 6 in reply to Auckland's 424.
Both teams took one point from the match. That was enough for Auckland go to the top of the State Championship points table, but close rivals Wellington still have a game in hand. They will play Auckland at home from Friday.
The points tally Auckland 9, Canterbury 8, Wellington 6, Central Districts 2, Northern Districts 2, Otago 1.