Cricket: Auckland held to draw in Plunket Shield

Auckland and Canterbury played out a tame draw on day four of their Plunket Shield match yesterday in Rangiora.

With Northern and Central Districts having wrapped up second-round wins within three days, the Aces-Wizards clash was the only action of the day.

Canterbury resumed on their overnight score of 178-5, holding a comfortable lead of 288, and set Auckland a nearly impossible chase. With opener George Worker unbeaten on 120, Canterbury captain Peter Fulton declared at 243-9, leaving Auckland needing 354 from 72 overs.

The Aces did not seem too interested in chasing the outright victory and, once New Zealand opener Martin Guptill was dismissed for 27 from 30 balls, the match looked headed for a draw.

Canterbury bowlers took three Auckland wickets in eight runs, but first-innings centurion Colin de Grandhomme (43 not out) and captain Gareth Hopkins (63 not out) ensured the sides would share the spoils with an unbeaten fifth-wicket stand of 104.

By the time the captains called it quits, the Aces were still 158 runs short on 196-4. Auckland took five first-innings bonus points to move to second behind ND while Canterbury's eight bonus points were not enough to move them out of fifth place.