Canterbury still on top against Stags

Plunket Shield strugglers Canterbury continue to cause problems for competition leaders Central Districts.

Boosted by the addition of Black Cap test squad members Matt Henry and Todd Astle, Canterbury impressed again on day two at Rangiora, and might just be smelling an upset victory.

Defending four-day champions Central were 106-3 in their second innings at stumps yesterday, giving them a lead of 87 runs. Wet weather could have the ultimate say, with the forecast not flash for the Canterbury region over the weekend.

Gunning for just their second win of the season, Canterbury got through to 280 in their first innings, in response to Central’s 261.

Two-wicket efforts from Sean Solia and Matt McEwan have Auckland on top against Otago.

After making 337 in their first innings, Auckland had the Volts 147-5 when stumps was called early on day two due to rain.

Rain dominated day two at the Basin Reserve with only 31 overs possible.

Wellington declared at an imposing 400-5, anchored by an unbeaten 156 from South Africanborn Devon Conway, the Plunket Shield’s leading run scorer.

Conway is officially a ‘qualifying player’, which allowed him to be contracted by the Firebirds. The 27-year-old is eligible to represent the Black Caps as a New Zealand resident after three years in the country in September, 2020, and the left-hander is someone national coach Gary Stead will be keeping a close eye on.

He added 10 runs to his overnight score before captain Hamish Bennett called him and Logan van Beek back to the dressing room. Van Beek hit 52 not out from 66 balls.

Northern Districts got through to 81-1 before wet weather intervened with Tim Seifert unbeaten on 42 and Henry Cooper there on 37, still trailing Wellington by 319 runs on the first innings.

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Central Districts 261 and 106-3 (George Worker 50no, Dane Cleaver 33no) met Canterbury 280 (Cam Fletcher 60, Henry Shipley 56, Stephen Murdoch 56; Seth Rance 4-67).

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At Mainpower Oval, Rangiora:

At Eden Park outer oval, Auckland:

Auckland 337 (Mark Chapman 104, Glenn Phillips 60, Graeme Beghin 47; Matthew Bacon 4-78, Jacob Duffy 3-73) met Otago 147-5 (Hamish Rutherford 54, Josh Tasman-Jones 42; Sean Solia 2-21, Matt McEwan 2-29).

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Wellington 400-5 decl (Devon Conway 156no, Rachin Ravindra 96, Logan van Beek 52no; James Baker 2-75) met Northern Districts 81-1 (Tim Seifert 42no, Henry Cooper 37no).

At Basin Reserve, Wellington: