KEY POINTS:
An English bowler ripped through a batting line-up at Eden Park's outer oval yesterday, but it wasn't the one many people were expecting.
Wellington import Charlie Shreck rather upstaged controversial Auckland recruit James Anderson, taking four for three in a blistering spell to knock over Auckland's tail.
Anderson was among Shreck's victims, bowled for a six-ball duck as Auckland added just eight to their overnight score of 289/6.
Andrew de Boorder also fell to Shreck, chipping to Luke Woodcock at midwicket to fall 12 runs short of a debut century.
The rangy Shreck, who went wicketless on day one, ended with figures of 4/68.
Shreck's efficiency at ending Auckland's resistance meant Anderson didn't have to wait long to get his chance with the ball.
The England test discard toiled away on an unresponsive surface, getting more bounce and carry than any other bowler on display. His efforts were rewarded when wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins took a brilliant diving catch to dismiss Woodcock for 13.
A solid partnership of 79 by the Parlane brothers, Neil and Michael, put Wellington in control before Michael succumbed to a rush of blood. Having deposited Gareth Hayne's previous delivery over the grandstand, the Wellington captain was promptly bowled attempting an extravagant slog-sweep.
Anderson sent down six consecutive maidens after the lunch break to keep Wellington's run rate in check but Auckland were unable to separate Neil Parlane and Grant Elliott.
An extended rain shower either side of tea caused a two-hour delay and just 3.1 overs were possible when the players finally returned before bad light sent them off for good. Parlane and Elliott extended their stand to 60 in untroubled fashion to take Wellington through to 169/2 at stumps.
Anderson returned tidy figures of 1-35 from 18 overs but did little to suggest a recall to the England side is imminent.
In Invercargill, rain drowned an even State Championship cricket tussle between Otago and Northern Districts on the second day at Queen's Park yesterday.
Just 37 overs were possible before play was abandoned for the day, with ND 77 for two in reply to the hosts' 305 all out.
Otago had previously added 29 to their overnight score before losing their final three wickets.
Derek de Boorder missed out on a shot at his maiden first class century, adding just three runs before being bowled by Brent Arnel for 74.
Arnel finished with career-best figures of five for 60, while Bradley Scott was unbeaten on 58.
At McLean Park in Napier, Canterbury made a bright start to their pursuit of first innings points on the second day of their match against Central Districts.
On a day highlighted by a maiden century to CD's Brendon Diamanti, Canterbury were 151 runs behind with six wickets in hand at stumps.
Diamanti eased from 67 overnight to 136 as his team reached 376, after resuming at 228 for seven. It was a fine fightback from three for three.
Richard Sherlock showed expert support with 64 before he also fell to Todd Astle, who claimed all three wickets yesterday morning.
Astle was then useful with the bat, reaching 48 at the top of the innings as his side hummed to 225 for four off 59 overs.
- NZPA
