Young strike bowler Matt Henry has put the Canterbury Wizards firmly in the driving seat to claim cricket's Plunket Shield.
Henry, 19, grabbed a five-wicket bag, his second of the season, when he returned figures five for 54 as defending champions the Northern Knights were skittled for 149 in their first innings having resumed on their overnight score of 36 for three.
Henry, who took all three wickets yesterday while conceding 23 runs, has now claimed a total of 16 from just four first class appearances at a remarkable average of 11.75.
Northern, whose best score was a 36 by Hamish Marshall were unable to recover from Henry's onslaught which Andy Ellis supported ably by taking three for 22 off 5.1 overs.
At close, Canterbury were poised to take first innings points, needing another 20 runs to overtake Northern Districts having scored 130 for three with Peter Fulton, 60 not out, scoring the lion's share.
By taking first innings points, Canterbury would move to 35 points, leaving Northern Districts and Central Districts, both on 29 points to chase outright wins if they are to stay in the running.
Canterbury last won the national first class title in 2007-08 season when it was called the State Championship.
At Queenstown, the Wellington Firebird's mathematical hopes of staying in the hunt to win the Shield crumbled under an outstainding innings by Otago's Derek de Boorder.
De Boorder, resuming on 13 not out overnight, struck a sparkling 122 not out to notch his second century in succession having scored 119 not out in the first innings of Otago's ninth round drawn match with Northern Districts.
De Boorder's partnership with Warren McSkimming for the ninth wicket was the most fruitful for his side who started the day at 213 for four.
De Boorder harvested 130 runs with McSkimming who was 53 not out when Otago declared on 441 for eight.
The partnership was a record for the ninth wicket against Wellington and the best of the season.
At close, Wellington were 57 for one, 385 away from first innings points with two days to play.
At Napier, the Central Stags hopes were fading as the Auckland Aces continued to occupy the crease on another weather affected day.
When rain forced the teams off Nelson Park early for the second day running, Auckland were 382 for four in their first innings after resuming on 267 for two.
Despite the interruptions and distractions caused by the rain, which stopped or delayed play, Andrew de Boorder, 60 not out overnight, calmly motored on to his second century of the season and the third of his first class career.
At stumps he was 102 not out and will resume tomorrow in tandem with skipper Gareth Hopkins who is 26 not out.
Auckland's total was helped along by the Central conceding a total of 33 extras including 23 no balls, 13 of which were contributed by Kieran Noema-Barnett.
NZPA
