Cricket: Auckland in driver's seat in Plunket Shield

Auckland's Colin de Grandhomme. Photo / Getty Images

Auckland are in the box seat to take the opening Plunket Shield match of the new season, needing 203 runs with a full complement of batsmen in tomorrow's final day.

An efficient third day with the ball in Whangarei saw Auckland bowl out Northern Districts and restrict their target to 211, before openers Jeet Raval and Rob Nicol negotiated a tricky 10-over period to see their side through to stumps unscathed.

Earlier, Auckland added 23 runs to their overnight score of 261-7, eking further ahead of the Knights' first-innings effort of 253 as Donovan Grobbelaar ended unbeaten on 62.

Graeme Aldridge captured the final three wickets to fall in the morning to claim a five-wicket bag and, after Northern Districts made a solid start to their second innings, the hosts appeared in with a chance of victory.

But once Daniel Flynn fell with the score on 90, the Knights lost regular wickets to leave their bowlers with work to do tomorrow. Anton Devcich top-scored with 64 after opening the batting but only Bharat Popli (43) and BJ Watling (45) offered any resistance in the middle order.

Elsewhere, Wellington's bowlers were able to put their side in charge after the opening day of their clash with Canterbury, bowling out their hosts for 242 at Hagley Oval.

Ili Tugaga and Brent Arnel did the majority of the damage, combining for six wickets, while Henry Nicholls' half century saw him the pick of the batsmen.

In reply, Wellington lost Brady Barnett in the 10th over before Michael Papps (20no) and Tugaga (14no) saw the visitors finish the day on 56-1.