KEY POINTS:
There was enough time between wet outfields and poor light for Wellington to snatch control against Canterbury on the first day of the State Championship cricket final yesterday.
Just 3 1/2 hours of play were possible at the Basin Reserve but it was sufficient for the hosts to take six Canterbury wickets for 165 and put themselves ahead in the five-day match. As top qualifiers, Wellington need only draw the match to claim the title.
The biggest smile would have belonged to Wellington captain Michael Parlane, who took a risk in opting to bowl first when conditions were deemed dry enough to start by midday.
Canterbury reached 47 without loss in the hour before lunch, suggesting Parlane's toss decision may backfire, but rot soon set in.
Todd Astle was caught at second slip off the second ball from Ian O'Brien for 25, starting a steady slide. Johann Myburgh fell for two and Peter Fulton for 11 to leave the visitors unsettled at 76 for three.
Opener Michael Papps threatened to provide an anchor but played across the line to spinner Jeetan Patel's first ball and was trapped lbw for 46.
The Cantabrians went to tea at 107 for four and added 39 more for two in a final session cut short by bad light.
Shanan Stewart too was trapped by Patel while O'Brien snared his third wicket when Ian Robertson flayed a wide one straight to Dewayne Bowden.
The Wellington attack was without paceman Charlie Shreck, who has returned to England.
O'Brien, who took three for 52, said the bowlers slowly warmed to their task.
"We started pretty averagely and they batted well in that first hour when we were hoping to take the game away from them," he told Radio Sport.
"We bowled really well after lunch and picked up some early wickets so at the moment we're in a good spot."
The medium-fast bowler, named in the New Zealand test team to tour England next month, has been sidelined for a month with a toe injury. He said a target today would be to dismiss the Cantabs for less than 200.
- NZPA
