Stewart ton pushes Canterbury closer to vital points

Shanan Stewart's 146 took Canterbury closer to claiming vital first-innings points against Central Districts at the Basin Reserve. . Chasing 461 to take bonus points, Canterbury closed the third day on 376 for 6, with Stewart's second-highest first-class score leading the way. Overnight on 56, Stewart moved onto his second career hundred. Ben Rae, in his fourth first-class game, contributed 41 to 102-run stand for the fifth wicket with Stewart. Rain curtailed the day's play to 64 overs, but Canterbury can still clinch a place in the final with a win or bonus point draw, depending on how the other two games pan out.

James McMillan, Otago's right-arm fast-medium bowler, followed his four-wicket haul in the first innings with two quick blows to keep Auckland down to 15 for 2 on a rain-hit third day at Dunedin's University Oval. Mayu Pasupati continued to enjoy his State Championship debut with a four-wicket haul earlier in the day as Otago collapsed to 199. Overnight on 130 for 4, they fell 27 short of their target, giving Auckland first-innings points. Pasupati was backed by Chris Martin's 3 for 65. Auckland need a maximum-point victory to reach the final.

There was no play on the third day of the Wellington-Northern Districts match at the Basin Reserve owing to heavy rain. ND were still on 8 for 1 in five overs in reply to Wellington's 314. Wellington hold second place by virtue of their superior net runs-per-wicket (9.024) compared to Canterbury (2.841). Both sides have three wins in the State Championship. ND still remain on the top of the table with a four-point lead.