Cricket: Gillespie on fire for Wellington

Two results appear imminent heading into the final day of the latest round of the Plunket Shield.

Mark Gillespie took career-best figures to put Wellington in a strong position against Canterbury in Rangiora after his side conceded a large first-innings deficit.

The former Black Cap snagged 6-41 as the home side were skittled for 144, with only Shanan Stewart (57) providing much work for the scorers.

Canterbury's poor second-innings effort left Wellington needing 278 for an outright victory and they made a solid start with Josh Brodie (33 not out) and Stephen Murdoch (22 not out) still at the crease at the close of play.

Only Michael Papps is back in the pavilion for Wellington and they have nine wickets in hand and plenty of time to knock off the remaining 217 runs on day four.

Wellington do have a long tail, but the middle order of Jesse Ryder, Grant Elliot and Luke Woodcock all boast international experience and all-rounder Harry Boam can also provide some runs if needed.

The other game heading for a result is the clash between Central Districts and Northern Districts, and the Stags are staring down the barrel of a tough challenge at the Harry Barker Reserve in Gisborne.

Shorn of many of their top players through injury and international commitments, Central need 269 runs to win with only six wickets in hand if they want to pull off an unlikely victory.

Northern began the morning on 114-2 in their second innings as they looked to build on their 126-run first-innings advantage, but Palmerston North's Bevan Small claimed 4-38 with his rapid right-armers to bowl out the home side for 280.

The four-wicket haul was the 19-year-old's best figures at first-class level in only his third match and continued a successful patch of form where he took nine wickets in his first three 50-over outings for Central.

Zimbabwean international Kyle Jarvis, who was added to the Central Districts' line-up to cover their fast bowling injury crisis, claimed three second-innings scalps to give him match figures of 8-115.

Mathew Sinclair and Kruger van Wyk are the men at the crease for Central, unbeaten on 40 and 30 respectively, but they have a lot of work to do tomorrow.

Northern have a strong bowling attack to guide them on day four with international spinner Daniel Vettori, Trent Boult, Graeme Aldridge and Brent Arnel all eager to get their hands on the ball.

Auckland and Otago appear to be playing out a draw in Dunedin after rain ruined any chance of play on day two on Saturday, although if the visitors were able to claim early wickets tomorrow they could put a scare through the Volts camp.

Otago only have a 61-run lead in their second innings with six wickets in hand, but if they can bat their way through two sessions they should avoid a sticky situation.

Auckland began the day on 80-5 but Colin Munro struck his maiden first-class hundred to put his side back in the game; Munro's 130 came from 115 balls and included 12 fours and seven sixes.

Derek de Boorder (10 not out) and Nick Beard (yet to score) were at the crease for Otago at the close of play.