Cricket: ND push on before light fails

By HERALD ONLINE STAFF

Northern Districts had enough time to press home their advantage over Auckland before play on the third day of Shell Trophy cricket final at Taupo was stopped due to bad light.

In the 48.2 overs bowled by Auckland today, Northern Districts advanced their second innings score to 170 for the loss of 5 wickets, giving them a lead of 254 runs with 2 days left to play in the final.

The pick of the Auckland bowlers was Brooke Walker who finished the day with the figures of 3 wickets for 43 runs.

Overnight rain and light drizzle meant Northern had to wait until 1:30 pm to add to their overnight score of 40 without loss. But the weather closed in again shortly before 5 pm, forcing umpires Quested and Watkin to pull stumps.

Auckland were bowled out for 208 in the first innings, 84 runs behind Northern Districts' first innings total of 292.