Cricket: Unusual pick sets up chase

Lord Condon, the International Cricket Council's anti-corruption investigator, might have raised an eyebrow at the Canterbury v Auckland match at Hagley Oval yesterday - but he need not be alarmed.

In an unusual decision, Auckland declared without having avoided the follow-on but Canterbury declined to enforce it, setting up a final-day run chase for State Championship outright points today.

Canterbury look certain to declare at their overnight 126 for six, an overall lead of 356, which Auckland will seek in 100 overs.

The reality is that the easy-paced pitch was playing comfortably and it was probably less likely that Canterbury could have bowled Auckland out by forcing them to follow-on than setting them a fourth-innings target.

Auckland declared at tea on 284 for seven when they were not guaranteed of reaching the follow-on target of 366.

The Auckland innings consisted primarily of two major partnerships - 109 for the third wicket between Tim McIntosh and Rob Nicol, who both furthered their solid seasons with half-centuries, and 97 between Aaron Barnes and Tama Canning.

*Invercargill's fickle climate has effectively ruled out anything but a first-innings result in the match between Otago and Central Districts, which ends at Queens Park tomorrow.

Yesterday's play was reduced to 136 minutes, which allowed Otago's first innings to proceed from 88 for five overnight to 180 for nine during a frustrating third day when only 33.4 overs were possible.

After losing early wickets, Nathan Morland stayed with overnight batsman Warren McSkimming, who continues to grow in confidence.

McSkimming's 63 eclipsed his previous-highest 49, scored against Canterbury this season at Carisbrook.

*In Wellington, Northern Districts ended the day at 238 for six - a lead of just 58 runs.

The Hart brothers, Matt and Robbie, are carrying their team's hopes against a Wellington team keen to overhaul Auckland at the top of the points table.