Auckland's hopes of making the championship final are alive going into the final day of their last match against Otago in Dunedin.
Having bowled Otago out for 199 yesterday to get a 27-run first innings lead, Auckland were 15 for two at stumps.
If Wellington don't get first
innings points against Northern Districts in the capital today - and they had a washout yesterday - Auckland could sneak into this month's final against State Championship leaders Northern Districts.
Starting the day at 130 for four, Otago were unable to get much momentum yesterday.
Nathan McCullum, with 31, was the only batsman to prosper as Mayu Pasupati followed up his unbeaten 76 in the Auckland first innings with four for 39 in 14.3 overs.
Test seamer Chris Martin grabbed three for 95 to continue a strong season.
James McMillan short-circuited Auckland's hopes of a flying start to their second innings by removing Richard Jones and Martin Guptill in the space of three balls in his third over.* Shanan Stewart's second first-class hundred kept alive Canterbury's chances of getting first innings points against Central Districts in Napier yesterday.
Chasing CD's first innings 460, Canterbury were 376 for six when play finished, Stewart having made a patient 146 off 304 balls with 14 fours.
Canterbury, who started the day at 208 for two, scored at less than three an over against a CD team out of the running for a place in the final.
* The top-of-the-table clash at the Basin Reserve was washed out yesterday.
Northern Districts, for whom a first innings win will secure home advantage for the final, will start the final day's play at 8 for 1, in reply to Wellington's 314.
