Cricket: Parlane's knock confirms Northern dominance

Northern Districts have stolen a march on their Plunket Shield cricket rivals after strolling to an easy win over Central Districts yesterday.

They wrapped up their four-day match in the second session on the third day at Cobham Oval in Whangarei after making light work of a modest target.

Opener Michael Parlane smacked a brisk 66 not out as they rushed to 129 for one in their second innings after seam bowler Graeme Aldridge had earlier completed a career-best match analysis of 11 for 145 when Central Districts were dismissed for 310.

After also beating Otago outright in the first round last week, it left Northern Districts with maximum points after two rounds.

The visitors had resumed yesterday morning still in deficit at 178 for five in their second innings, and the result became increasingly predictable after the overnight pairing of Mathew Sinclair and Bevan Griggs was removed.

Griggs added only three runs to his overnight tally of six before Aldridge induced an edge behind as he became the 12th batsman caught by wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan, giving the Northern Districts gloveman the world record for the number of catches taken in a first-class match.

At the Basin Reserve, Wellington's Cameron Merchant converted an unplanned promotion into his maiden first-class century.

Merchant scored a richly entertaining 108 as opener as Wellington reached 255 for five in their second innings against Auckland.

That left the home side holding an overall lead of 337 heading into the final day today.

At Rangiora, Canterbury matched their entire points haul from the last domestic four-day cricket competition by securing a first-innings advantage before setting Otago 471 for victory.

At stumps on the penultimate afternoon Otago had reached 65 without loss. Canterbury, who also banked two points against Wellington in the opening round, had a repeat assured when Otago resumed on a distant 195 for seven in their first innings.

Otago have Brendon McCullum's hitting power in reserve, although they may be pushed to conjure up the 406 required today.

- NZPA