Rain brings Auckland's abrupt roll to an end

For all the best efforts of Lou Vincent, Llorne Howell and Aaron Barnes in the batting department and Heath Davis and Gareth Shaw at the bowling crease, Auckland could only sit and watch as the rain washed away their dominant position in the fourth round State Shield match against Central Districts at Eden Park.

A lively 44 from Howell, a steady 64 from Vincent and a rollicking 44 from Barnes saw Auckland through to 250 for nine at the end of their 50 overs. Andrew Schwass, Brent Hefford and Craig Furlong picked up two wickets each in a performance that saw all six bowlers used going for four or more an over.

Central's innings started with a typically unpredictable Davis over that produced two fours off no-balls but also set the scene for a horror start for the batting side. Davis, with a wicket in his first and second overs and Shaw with similar return set Central in danger of major destruction, reducing them to 14 for four at the end of the fourth over.

But then the misty rain came, the players departed and Auckland's hope of a bonus point departed with them.

No further play was possible and the match was called off at 5.35pm, the teams collecting two points each.