KEY POINTS:
Wellington will chase an unlikely outright win today after being outpointed again by Central Districts yesterday in their State Championship cricket match in Napier.
Wellington's first innings deficit of 113 had just been wiped out by aggressive openers Matthew Bell and Luke Woodcock when third day stumps were called, setting up the prospect of a daring declaration today.
The visitors reached 116 without loss on a McLean Park wicket that continued to favour batting.
Earlier Central's Greg Hay exploited it to brilliant effect, compiling an unbeaten 164 before his team were dismissed for 486.
Hay struck 21 fours in his 328-ball knock, just his second first-class century and comfortably his highest score.
The Rotorua 23-year-old, who is averaging more than 80 in compiling 402 runs this summer, resumed on 50 and lost overnight partner Tim Weston early for 75.
He received some free-wheeling support from West Indian Evon McInnis, who raced to 47 in less than an hour, striking four sixes.
The weather-affected match between Canterbury and Otago in Christchurch appears to be heading to a tame draw.
With first inning points in hand after dismissing Otago for 365 runs on the third day of the four-day match, Canterbury will resume their second innings today on 54 for one, a lead of 86 after posting 397 in their first dig.
With just three sessions left, it will take a generous Canterbury declaration to bring new life to a game which lost one session yesterday morning because of rain and another 30 minutes at the other end because of bad light.
- NZPA
