Cricket: Wellington all set to overhaul Auckland's first innings score

Wellington look set to overhaul Auckland's modest first innings score of 223 in their State Championship cricket match at Eden Park today.

While Reece Young (54 not out) and Lou Vincent (41) helped the Auckland Aces to a reasonable 223 - competition front runners Wellington had already reached 73-2 in 23 overs by the end of play yesterday.

Matthew Bell and Luke Woodcock were early casualties for the Firebirds, but Michael Parlane and Jesse Ryder put in solid performances to end the day not out on 35 and 19 respectively.

A far different scenario from Auckland's batting performance, which saw the side's top three batsmen Richard Jones, Martin Guptill and Matt Horne scoring just 31 runs between them.

Auckland's middle order were a little more effective.

Black Cap Lou Vincent claimed 41 runs off 37 balls, including eight fours, before he was caught by Mark Gillespie. Rob Nicol and Tama Canning chipped in with 26 and 25 respectively, but it was Young who made the most impact, scoring 54 not out off 79 balls.

Auckland's tailenders Andre Adams, Lance Shaw and Andy McKay were unable to form a decent partnership with Young, with Adams going for a duck, Shaw for 1 and McKay for 7.

Gillespie was the most damaging of the Wellington bowlers, claiming four for 34 runs in 22.1 overs. Dwayne Bowden claimed three wickets and Charlie Shreck two.

* Northern Districts overcame a horror start to edge ahead against Otago in Dunedin.

The visitors, in dire straits at 36 for five early in their first innings, were at even odds to gain first innings points at stumps on the second day at University Oval.

Otago will resume today on 185 for six, chasing 235, with much responsibility resting on allrounder Neil Broom to get them to their target.

* Just because Chris Harris gave up on his receding hairline years ago doesn't mean he can no longer cut a dashing figure on the cricket field.

Harris, 36, proved his enduring qualities yesterday as he guided Canterbury into a strong position at the halfway mark of the match against Central Districts in Christchurch.

The Canterbury captain stroked a fine century to guide his team to 406 for nine declared in their first. The visitors responded by reaching stumps on the second day at 158 for three.

Harris struck 17 fours in his unbeaten 119 after he resumed at the Village Green this morning on 55 with Canterbury at 286 for six.

He defied the Central Districts attack for 320 minutes to build on the 89 scored yesterday by opener Michael Papps and 66 from Shanan Stewart.

- NZPA