Wellington have the upper hand
The Wellington Firebirds are closing in on a win over the Auckland Aces which should increase their lead at the top of the Plunket Shield with two rounds to play.
At stumps on day three at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland, Wellington were in front by 30 runs and two wickets away from completing an innings win.
Their first innings was brought to an end at 360 earlier yesterday, with Rachin Ravindra’s maiden first-class century, compiled on day two, the standout score.
Logan van Beek took an impressive 3-14 from 12 overs as the Firebirds took to the field, while Michael Bracewell’s part-time spin proved handy in taking 3-39, and Ben Sears chipped in with 2-22.
Finn Allen’s 66 was the highest score for the Aces, who finished on 151-8 with Louis Delport not out on 35 and Ben Lister on 5, facing an uphill battle.
At Seddon Park in Hamilton, Canterbury were set a target of 354 in 100 overs to beat Northern Districts, who declared their second innings closed at 302-5 late on day three.
Opener Henry Cooper made 130 – his second century in as many matches – as the hosts batted for most of the day to extend their lead, receiving valuable support from Black Caps wicketkeeper BJ Watling, who made 71 to go with his first-innings 64.
Canterbury spinner Theo van Woerkom took four of the five wickets to fall and finished with 4-76 as his side was sent in to bat late in the day.
They will resume today on 23-0, with Jack Boyle and Chad Bowes at the crease, and 331 more runs required.
There is a chance of another final afternoon run chase at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, where the Central Stags hold all the cards.
At stumps on day three, the Stags were 112-1 in their second innings, leading by 143 runs after the Volts declared their first innings closed while trailing by 31.
Will Young was not out on 61 off 64 balls for the Stags, while Greg Hay was on 32 off 69.
The Volts’ declaration came when they were 266-7 in reply to the Stags’ first-innings total of 297.
Mitch Renwick was unbeaten on 74 when the call came, while opener Anaru Kitchen had earlier made 73, and Stags spinner Ajaz Patel finished with figures of 4-87.