The weather won the major argument as Plunket Shield cricket action was kept to a bare minimum around the country today.
Play on the first day in all three matches was heavily truncated due to a combination of rain and bad light, but Canterbury still found sufficient time to make an early statement in their match against Otago at Rangiora.
After being kept waiting until 4.30pm they quickly knocked the top off the Otago innings as former international Aaron Redmond, Shaun Haig and Neil Broom all departed cheaply against the Canterbury seam attack before Darren Broom added to his side's misery by being run out.
Otago were teetering at 44 for four before skipper Craig Cumming provided a steadying hand to score 42 not in 143 minutes of watchful defence and he will take guard tomorrow at 69 for four with Derek de Boorder at the other end on 10.
Fast bowler Matt Henry again impressed with figures of one for 10 off nine overs in just his second first-class match and fresh from claiming a five-wicket haul on debut against Wellington last week.
All of the teams are desperate for the matches to advance quickly tomorrow, with four sides within 11 points of competition leaders Central Districts entering the round.
Central Stags' home fixture against second-placed Northern Knights at Napier saw only 8.2 overs of play as the visitors reached 21 for one after losing international BJ Watling for six.
In Auckland, the last placed home team, fresh from the first win over the season over Northern, captured two early wickets before the Wellington Firebirds reached 65 for two from 26 overs before bad light forced them off Colin Maiden Park.
A late start due to rain saw minimal progress made, although opener Stephen Murdoch made a cautious 37 not out and will be joined by his skipper Grant Elliott, on 10, when play resumes tomorrow.
NZPA
