Otago tests ND

Otago was in the process of making a bold effort on Sunday to deny Northern Districts the first innings points that will force it to wait one more week before claiming the Plunket Shield.

At Cobham Oval in Whangarei, ND reached 465-9 declared after Brad Wilson scored the third first-class century of his career when making 107. Peter McGlashan carried on to reach 71 as he and Wilson added 120 for the seventh wicket.

Graeme Aldridge was 37 not out when the declaration was made. Nick Beard ended with 3-78 and Nathan McCullum 3-139.

In reply, Otago was 165-1 at stumps with Craig Cumming 90 not out. Shaun Haig had put on 42 during a 94-run first-wicket stand.

At Colin Maiden Park in Auckland, the home team batted all day in response to Central Districts' 269.

Richard Jones hit his 18th first-class century and when dismissed for 123 he was five runs short of passing 8000 runs in first-class cricket, 4462 of which have been scored for Auckland which places him second on Auckland's all-time list behind Trevor Franklin.

Gareth Hopkins was 133 not out at stumps, which was his 11th first-class century. Anaru Kitchen was with him on 27 not out with Auckland 347-4, an overall lead of 78 runs. George Worker's 2-51 was the most successful CD bowling.

Wellington struck back at Rangiora against Canterbury to hold the home team to 318, a first innings lead of 118 runs, a total which had seemed likely to be much higher earlier.

Shanan Stewart claimed 101 runs to continue his purple patch of the latter part of the season. Ili Tugaga finished with 4-74 after running through the lower-order.

Wellington was making a good fist of its response until losing two wickets just before stumps. Stephen Murdoch had shared an opening stand of 124 before he was trapped leg before wicket to Todd Astle for 59. Cam Merchant followed two balls later when bowled by Astle for a duck.

Neal Parlane was 78 not out as Wellington went to stumps at 144-0.