Cricket: Double century gives Wellington the advantage

Auckland batsman Rob Nicol sways from the path of a James Franklin bouncer. Picture / Kenny Rodger

Auckland's rampant start to cricket's State Championship is facing a major hurdle at Eden Park, where Wellington have edged into the driver's seat halfway through the fourth-round clash.

Michael Parlane was head, shoulders and a fair deal of the torso above the rest of the Wellington batters, with his 203 - which easily surpassed a previous best of 122 - dominating the champions' total of 427.

Auckland are still in the hunt to take first-innings points, with veteran Aaron Barnes and Tama Canning - who is troubled with a side strain - at the wicket with the home side on 235 for four.

But Auckland will need to be more convincing with their batting this morning if they are to overhaul Wellington, who lead by 192.

Parlane, the long-time Northern Districts batsman, brought up his double century with a six back over the head of Auckland leg-spinner Brooke Walker as Wellington added 66 runs for the loss of their final three wickets.

Auckland started well, with opener Matt Horne continuing his run of solid form. But as in both his previous innings against Central Districts, Horne fell close to a century - this time on 88.

Auckland needed one batsmen to follow Parlane's lead, and Horne appeared to be the man for the job until he went back and played across the line to Iain O'Brien.

O'Brien sent some superb deliveries past the Auckland batsmen and snared Horne and his fellow opener Richard Jones.

He should have added Lou Vincent, but for a dreadful dropped catch at midwicket by Mark Gillespie, who had only just conceded four overthrows off the same bowler to Vincent.

Vincent also edged O'Brien to the boundary, but his luck did not hold, with James Franklin having him claimed in the slips in the next over.

O'Brien tired in a brief return last night. But with Canning not in full health, and newcomer Carl Cachopa to come, Wellington will be full of expectation and should have their guns blazing this morning.

Meanwhile, Auckland all-rounder Andre Adams could face sanction after some histrionics over an umpiring decision during his bowling spell yesterday. Umpires Gary Baxter and Phil Jones conferred and spoke with captain Walker.