Cricket: Auckland out to retain command

Central Districts Kieran Noema-Barnett bats during Auckland V Central Districts. File photo / Jason Dorday

Leaders Auckland are in an even contest with Canterbury at the halfway point in their Plunket Shield clash at Colin Maiden Park.

The sixth round of games had staggered starts, so while Northern Districts have gone to the top of the table after beating Central Districts on their final day yesterday, Auckland have to produce two days of strong, assertive cricket to regain the initiative.

Canterbury established a 46-run first innings lead, making 340 yesterday, on the back of a second first-class hundred in the season by Henry Nicholls.

Having made a century in the first round back in October against Wellington, lefthander Nicholls doubled his tally with 102 off 190 balls, sharing two century stands.

He put on 110 for the fourth wicket with Neil Broom, and 115 for the fifth with Andrew Ellis.

Broom made 41, Ellis 72 while seamer Matt Henry chipped in with 39 later in the innings.

Michael Bates finished with three wickets while Dean Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson and Donovan Grobbelaar took two apiece.

Auckland start today at 29 for none, trailing by 17 runs overall.

Northern enjoyed a 43-run win over CD at Whangarei's Cobham Oval.

Having left CD a target of 348 in just over a day, they dismissed them for 304.

After starting at 23 for one, the early signs were encouraging for CD.

Greg Hay, with 98 in over four hours at the crease, and Will Young, who made 56, put on 107 for the third wicket.

However, left arm spinners Mitchell Santner and Anton Devcich had the final say.

Santner took three for 70 off 33.1 overs, Devcich four for 46 off 15, including both Hay and Young, who had hit a century in the first innings.

Wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk, as is his wont, scrapped hard in making 62 in 2-hours.

But his departure was effectively the end.

ND hold a five-point lead over Auckland at the top of the table. Their next game is against Canterbury at Hagley Oval starting next Monday.

Rain cut the second day short in Queenstown, where Wellington are 70 for one in their second innings after three days, holding an overall lead of 116.

Jesse Ryder hit 58 for Otago in their 251 for eight declared, pulling out 46 behind Wellington in a bid to keep the game alive.

Prospects for an entertaining final day today, provided the weather plays its part, are promising.