Otago ease home by nine wickets

Otago beat Canterbury comprehensively by nine wickets in their State Championship encounter at Queenstown. After following on, Canterbury just about managed to stave off an innings defeat, leaving Otago to chase only seven. Chris Harris and Paul Wiseman were the only Canterbury batsmen to pass fifty as their side stayed on the defensive throughout, facing over 130 overs for their total of 276. Wiseman top-scored with an unbeaten 80. For Otago Bradley Scott, the left-arm fast bowler, was the most impressive, taking 5 for 48.

Central Districts took command at the end of the third day at Palmerston North, leaving Auckland to chase a target of 456 with only three sessions left. Central were earlier bowled out for 390 in their second innings and Auckland, in reply, lost two wickets with 85 on board. Central rode on solid contributions by their middle order, with half-centuries by Jacob Oram (89) , Timothy Weston (70) and Bevan Griggs (50). Oram scored as many as 60 runs through boundaries alone while Griggs compiled a run-a-ball half-century with six fours. Auckland lost Richard Jones early with the score on 1. Tim Lythe and Matthew Horne were at the crease at stumps.

Wellington and Northern Districts both made sporting declarations to set up a chance for a result in their State Championship match at Hamilton. Northern declared their first innings 98 behind Wellington, after Alun Evans scored 103. Wellington rode on Matthew Bell's 109 at the top of the order, who shared a 141-run stand with Michael Parlane. Jesse Ryder made an aggressive half-century, scoring 55 off 51 balls. Wellington declared at 255 for 8, leaving Northerns to chase 354 in the last innings. Grant Robinson fell early as Northern ended the day at 3 for 1.