Auckland took first-innings points in their match against Central Districts in Blenheim yesterday.
After a day when 12 wickets fell, there is some hope of an outright decision today.
Central progressed from their overnight score of 86 for one through to 152 before Mathew Sinclair fell, caught in the slips for 60
from Craig Pryor's bowling.
Sinclair batted patiently until waving at a delivery outside off-stump.
Glen Sulzberger and Bevan Griggs both went without scoring, then Peter Ingram followed at 185, leg-before to Pryor.
There was some resistance down the order from Greg Todd, with 35, and Greg Loveridge, with a hard-hit 34, but Central were all out for 246 in reply to Auckland's 328.
The pick of an energetic bowling attack was medium-pacer Pryor, who got up a good head of steam and troubled all the batsmen on a placid pitch.
Auckland reshuffled their batting order for their second innings after opener Matt Horne was rested because of a virus.
The home side struck quickly when Lance Hamilton dismissed Tim McIntosh for four, then Andrew Schwass got rid of Rob Lynch for five and Brooke Walker for 10.
Auckland limped to stumps at 38 for three, an overall lead of 120.
- NZPA
