Auckland's hold on Shield looking shaky against CD

Trent Boult.

Auckland's grip on the Plunket Shield looks shaky halfway through the third round matches.

Having gone into their match at Eden Park outer oval against second-placed Central Districts with a nine-point buffer, they will go into the third day with CD on 259 for six in their second innings, an overall lead of 301.

The day was in stark contrast to the rapid comings and goings on the first day, when 18 wickets fell.

Auckland captain Rob Nicol declared nine down and 42 behind, with bowler Dean Bartlett unable to take part in play yesterday.

Opener Ben Smith and the promising Will Young overcame a wobbly start to share a 146-run stand for the third wicket, Smith going on to a measured 89, Young a brisker 87.

Auckland used eight bowlers but the upshot is they have much to do today.

Rattle through the last four wickets and they'll have plenty of time to chase down the target, if they're good enough.

•Northern Districts are in a strong position against Wellington at Seddon Park in Hamilton.

They rolled the visitors for 117 in just 33.4 overs.

Test pair Tim Southee and Trent Boult, in what effectively amounted to a warmup for the opening test against Sri Lanka starting on Boxing Day, shared eight wickets.

Left armer Boult sailed through the lower order, picking up a wicket in four out of a five-over burst to finish with five for 37 off 12.4 overs.

ND captain Daniel Flynn rammed home his side's advantage with his 17th first-class 100, off 137 balls.

Flynn shared a 104-run opening stand with Brad Wilson and by stumps the overall lead was 304.

•Brendon McCullum was back in action at Rangiora, and achieving a milestone.

The New Zealand skipper scored 33 for Otago against Canterbury off 44 balls, not a significant number in itself.

However, at 31 he completed 1000 first-class runs for the year, dominated by his 969 test runs.

McCullum fell to a skied shot off legspinner Todd Astle as Otago went on to score 369, of which Michael Bracewell made 73 and test spinner Mark Craig 65.

McCullum was Otago's third wicket to fall and when he departed the visitors were 205-3.

When he left Auckland three seasons ago, Ronnie Hira was a left arm spinner. At Canterbury, he has become an allrounder.

Yesterday, opening the batting, Hira made his first century in first-class cricket, an even 100 off 125 balls as Canterbury went to stumps on 176 for three.