Cricket: Spin bowlers reign supreme in Plunket Shield

Ish Sodhi took four wickets today. Photo / Getty

New Zealand's elite spin bowlers have dominated proceedings in the final day of the Plunket Shield third round.

Jeetan Patel and Todd Astle spun their respective sides to comprehensive victories, while a superb spell of leg-spin from Ish Sodhi wasn't enough for Northern Districts to take down Auckland.

Auckland top the Plunket Shield ladder after holding on against a Northern Districts fightback to avoid what would have been a stunning collapse.

Looking to bat out for a draw after ND all-rounder Scott Kuggeleijn made 104* in his side's second turn at bat, Auckland were looking safe at 122-1 at tea.

However, a quick fall of wickets led by Sodhi (4-96) had the Aces in trouble at 187-7, but an unbeaten 89 from Brad Cachopa saw them cling on to the draw and remain in top spot with 42 points.

Wellington are just a point behind after Patel found the fourth-day pitch at the Basin Reserve to his liking to take apart Otago.

Wellington openers Michael Papps (132) and Luke Woodcock (131) had earlier put the hosts in a dominant position, setting Otago 355 to win. The visitors found resilience through Neil Broom (85) and half-centuries to Derek De Boorder and Brad Wilson, but Patel took 6-77, claiming his 20th first-class five-wicket bag as they dismissed Otago for 262, claiming the 92-run victory.

Astle was also amongst the milestones as he proved to be the key man for Canterbury in their 161-run win over Central Districts, with the one-test spinner snaring his 250th first-class wicket as he tore through the CD tail.

CD started the day at 100/5 needing a further 286 for victory, and although Tom Bruce (67) and Adam Milne (61) fought valiantly, Astle took 5-50 to move Canterbury into third on the jam-packed table.