If Wellington go on to win the State Championship they might argue their best piece of cricket came before a ball was bowled in the final at their Basin Reserve home ground.
Needing only to avoid defeat to be crowned champions as reward for qualifying top for the final, Wellington opted
to stiffen their batting by including Michael Parlane at the expense of offspinner Jeetan Patel.
It proved a shrewd decision yesterday as Wellington, resuming at 53 for four overnight and soon foundering at 62 for five, ground their way to 288 for nine at stumps on the second day after adding 118 runs with their last two partnerships.
Canterbury still fancy their chances of sneaking the outright result they need but the wag in Wellington's powerful tail was invaluable, not only for the 96-run lead but also for cutting the amount of time the visitors have to set up a probable last-day run chase tomorrow.
The onus is now on Canterbury to score quick runs today to leave themselves enough overs to dismiss a Wellington team for whom the preservation of wickets will outweigh the desire to chase runs.
Canterbury coach Michael Sharpe has not given up hope despite conceding Wellington are in the driving seat.
"We were happy and confident at the end of the first day after clawing our way back from 27 for six but these last two wickets have been a real thorn," Sharpe said.
"But we've got nothing to lose and I think the deck is playing well enough for us to set up a chase.
"We need to get this last wicket quickly, knock off the 100 runs [deficit] in one session and then try and set a target in two sessions.
"There's still a lot of cricket to be played."
Discarded New Zealand allrounder Matthew Walker led Wellington's lower-order resistance, backing up his second first-class century against Otago last week with his fourth half-century of the championship.
- NZPA
