KEY POINTS:
Central Districts captain Mathew Sinclair continued to underline yesterday why he is widely regarded as one of the most dominant players of his generation on the domestic stage.
An unfulfilled talent at international level before the last of his 32 tests for New Zealand last summer, Sinclair continues to put first-class attacks to the sword. It was the turn of Wellington to feel the force of Sinclair's bat as he made an unbeaten 164 against them on the second day of a four-day State Championship match at the Basin Reserve.
He was one of two star turns in a Central Districts first innings of 452 for five, registering his third century of the season and his 26th at first-class level. Sinclair studded his innings with 16 boundaries from 335 balls, lifting his season's aggregate to 516 runs at an average of 129.
After Central Districts resumed on 54 without loss, Sinclair ensured wicketkeeper Bevan Griggs was free to hit out.
Hit out 30-year-old Griggs did - he slammed a career-best 138 not out. Griggs and Sinclair have so far put on 235 for the sixth wicket, a Central Districts record, surpassing the 220 scored by Matthew Toynbee and Ian Smith against Auckland in 1982-83.
Griggs posted just his second first-class century, reaching 138 off just 187 balls, 18 of which he hit to the fence.
Auckland vs Otago
Meanwhile, Auckland captain Richard Jones saw something in the Eden Park Outer Oval pitch that no one else did yesterday.
There can be no other explanation for his decision to invite Otago to bat first on the opening day of the four-day State Championship match. Batsmen have been gorging themselves at the venue all summer and nothing changed as Otago scored 350 for five in their first innings by stumps, with captain Craig Cumming posting a century.
Admittedly Jones was let down badly by his bowlers in the first session as Otago rushed to lunch on 135 without loss after the home attack were guilty of bowling on both sides of the wicket. They improved their line thereafter but by then Otago openers Cumming and Aaron Redmond were well set.
These two were eventually parted midway through the second session when test reject Redmond reached 50.
He and Cumming had put on 158 before Redmond attempted to square drive seamer Colin de Grandhomme but succeeded only in toe-ending the ball to Jones at point.
Cumming, who had filled his boots in the first session when he made 85, duly raised his 13th first-class century but was out shortly after when he drove legspinner Tarun Nethula to Martin Guptill in the covers.
Cumming hit 105 in 206 minutes, including 17 fours to post his second century in as many matches after he topped three figures last week against Central Districts in Napier.
His departure did not relieve the pressure on the Auckland bowlers as Greg Todd and Neil Broom put on 97 for the third wicket in a partnership dominated by Broom.
He was particularly forthright on the placid surface, striking nine fours as he reached 60 off just 94 balls before Nethula deceived him in a leg before wicket decision.
His removal saw Todd assume more responsibility and he flourished in the role, advancing to 83 and within sight of his own century after hitting 14 fours in four hours at the crease.
ND vs Canterbury
The middle and lower order got Northern Districts out of potential bother in their State Championship match against Canterbury in Hamilton. The home side posted a healthy 430 in their first innings at Seddon Park before Canterbury responded by reaching 62 for two at stumps on the second day of the four-day match.
The specialists had failed yesterday when Northern Districts slumped to 63 for four before teenager Kane Williamson sparked a revival by posting a career best 98.
His lower order colleagues followed his lead after the hosts resumed on 208 for six, with
Joseph Yovich advancing from his overnight 34 not out to contribute 65 to he total.
Peter McGlashan and Graeme Aldridge ensured that good work did not go to waste as they set out their stall in a fabulous eight-wicket stand.
They eventually put on a partnership of 163, a Northern
Districts record for the eighth wicket. McGlashan's share was 91, containing 11 fours, while Aldridge struck a fine 75, including eight boundaries.
The Canterbury bowler generally toiled honestly.
They delivered a total of 47 maidens, with seamer Andrew
Ellis the pick as he collected figures of three for 44 off 22 overs.
Peter Fulton and Johann Myburgh will both resume on 10.
