Auckland ease to win over ND
After Wellington romped to a fourth outright win in four rounds on Thursday, there were only two Plunket Shield matches still going on Friday.
Only one will have a fourth day on Saturday, however, after Auckland completed an eight-wicket win over Northern Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
That is the match between Otago and Central Districts at University Oval in Dunedin, where a final-day run chase lies in store.
NORTHERN DISTRICTS v AUCKLAND at Seddon Park, Hamilton
(Mitchell Santner 53, Tim Seifert 41, Kane Williamson 38, Scott Kuggeleijn 30; Matt McEwan 6-48)
(Martin Guptill 52no) OTAGO v CENTRAL DISTRICTS at University Oval, Dunedin
Central Districts’ star-studded batting lineup are likely to be called into action for a fourth-day chase, though it remains to be seen exactly what the equation will be.
Resuming at 162-3 in their first innings on Friday morning, Central were dismissed just before tea for 359, still 154 short of Otago’s first-innings total of 513.
Four of their batsman made 50s, but none passed 57 – a score shared by Greg Hay and Tom Bruce. Jesse Ryder (56) and George Worker (52) were the others, while Will Young
(37) and Ross Taylor (34) also chipped in.
The wickets were spread around for Otago, with James Duffy’s 3-84 the most notable return.
Otago then moved through to
161-5 at stumps, scoring at more than five runs per over to extend their lead to 315.
Hamish Rutherford (39), Jimmy Neesham (36) and Neil Broom (30) all cashed in.
Ahead by 260, and all eyes will now be on skipper Rob Nicol, and when he chooses to declare and set Central a target.
Seeing as Wellington are running away with the Plunket Shield so far, both teams will be eager for an outright win, so a fascinating final day lies in store. Central certainly have the batsmen to pull off a chase, though Otago’s bowlers are no mugs either.
(Hamish Rutherford 39, Jimmy Neesham 36, Neil Broom 30; Ajaz Patel
3-59, Adam Milne 2-58)
(Greg Hay 57, Tom Bruce 57, Jesse Ryder
56, George Worker 52, Will Young 37, Ross Taylor 34; James Duffy 3-84, Neil Wagner 2-48, Michael Rae 2-57)