Van Wyk ton puts Wizards in control

State Canterbury Wizards put themselves in the driving seat on the second day of their  State Championship match against State Wellington Firebirds at the Basin Reserve after taking first innings points.

Resuming on their overnight score of 58 for three, the Wizards posted 313 to pass the Firebirds' first innings of 254.

Wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk was outstanding, scoring 111. He needed just 97 balls to bring up his century and was eventually that last man out after hitting 19 boundaries in his 105-ball stay.

At stumps, Wellington were 91-3 in their second innings and will need opener Matthew Bell, 43 not out, and Neil Parlane, 16 not out, to build a big partnership to give the hosts a chance of winning the match.

Wellington paceman Charlie Shreck toiled impressively, claiming five for 77 to continue his strong start to the season.

Canterbury's international opener Michael Papps, added just seven runs to his overnight score of 22 before he gave left-armer Fraser Quarterman his debut first class wicket.

Andrew Ellis joined overnight batsman Johan Myburgh and the pair shared an 88-run partnership before Ellis, on 38, was caught by Grant Elliott off a Mark Houghton delivery.

Myburgh, on 51, went the next ball with a sharp delivery by Shreck giving Nevin another catch behind.

Myburgh's well-paced half century featured five fours and a six.

Van Wyk was the backbone of Canterbury's innings and he took the initiative with the Canterbury bottom order to add 51 with Todd Astle for the eighth wicket and the last three wickets produced 108 runs.

Wellington's reply began badly with opener Luke Woodcock going for a duck and he was followed by Michael Parlane (12) with the score on 25.

Jesse Ryder fell for 10 to a Willie Lonsdale ball that gifted a catch to Van Wyk on the leg-side with the score on 39 before Bell and Neil Parlane negotiated their way to 91 at stumps.