A three-wicket burst by Central Districts bowler Michael Mason has Northern Districts on the back foot as they search for the first-innings points they need to claim the Plunket Shield in their final-round cricket match at Napier. At stumps on the first day of the four-day fixture, Northern were 75 forfour in their first innings after bowling Central Districts out for 217. Mason had figures of three for 23 off 8.1 overs as he removed Northern openers Michael Parlane for six, Daniel Flynn for one and Hamish Marshall for 27. However, it was Ben Wheeler, playing his second first-class match, who got the key wicket of fellow 19-year-old Kane Williamson for 26. Williamson has been in good form, having scored big centuries in his previous two matches. He was called up to the Black Caps squad for the second test against Australia in Hamilton but returned to play for Northern after his services were not required. Brad Wilson, eight not out, and James Marshall on one, will shoulder the burden of reviving Northern's innings today, with Joseph Yovich and Peter McGlashan the last of their recognised batsmen available to steer them to first-innings points. Northern lead with 44 points but second-placed Canterbury, on 36 are in striking range. They could edge Northern for the Shield if they beat hosts Auckland outright and Northern get no points and remain behind on net runs per wicket. Earlier, Central, asked to bat after losing the toss, struggled to impose themselves on the Northern attack. Once opener Peter Ingram departed for 85, they lost four wickets for 49 runs. A 50-run partnership for the seventh wicket between James de Terte and Doug Bracewell stopped the rot but once the pair departed in the space of nine runs for 24 and 30 respectively, their innings was quickly wrapped up.
Graeme Aldridge and Jono Boult grabbed three wickets each, with Trent Boult and Hamish Marshall chiming in with two each.NZPA
