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Rob Nicol of Canterbury - Source: Photosport -
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A century from opener Rob Nicol saw Canterbury take control on day one of their top-of-the-table Plunket Shield four-day cricket match against Northern Districts in Rangiora on Thursday.
Nicol batted for most of the first day for 134 as Canterbury - who trail Northern by six points on the competition ladder - reached 340 for four at stumps.
He was dismissed eight overs before stumps by Northern paceman Graeme Aldridge after a 357-minute, 301-ball knock which included 16 fours and a six.
Johann Myburgh was unlucky not to join Nicol on three figures after his rollicking knock was ended on 96, caught by Kane Williamson off paceman Brent Arnel.
Myburgh blazed 15 fours and a six in his 103-ball innings as he and Nicol added 172 for the third wicket.
Shanan Stewart also looked poised for a big score and will resume tomorrow on 46 not out.
New ball bowlers Arnel and Aldridge toiled the hardest for the national one-day champions, Arnel ending with two for 55 off 23 overs and Aldridge two for 70 off 19.
Canterbury v Northern first day scoreboard click here
Sinclair carries Central's hopes
Senior batsman Mathew Sinclair carries Central Districts' hopes into day two of their Plunket Shield cricket match against Otago after a rain-marred first day in Invercargill on Thursday.
Just 28 overs were possible in the deep south at Queen's Park, and Central were 92 for two after being sent in to bat when rain forced an early close.
Otago paceman Warren McSkimming (2-31) struck a double blow after Central openers Jamie How and George Worker added an opening stand of 53.
He skittled Worker for 12 then cut short How's promising knock of 44, leaving Sinclair (18 not out) and Brad Patton (14 not out) to rebuild the innings tomorrow.
Otago v Central first day scoreboard click here
Wellington gets over jittery start
Middle-order pair Luke Woodcock and Stewart Rhodes came to the rescue for a stumbling Wellington to hand them opening day honours against Auckland in their Plunket Shield cricket match in Auckland .
The pair came together with the total 156 for four at Colin Maiden Park, and they added an unbroken 122 for the fifth wicket with both set to resume on 74 not out tomorrow.
Woodcock batted 207 minutes and faced 134 balls in his unbeaten innings, while Rhodes had faced 122 deliveries at the close.
Bottom-placed Auckland made a solid start on winning the toss after a rain delay, with Gareth Shaw making inroads as Wellington were reduced to 77 for three.
Shaw finished the day with three for 58 off 18 overs, with Michael Bates the other wicket-taker.
Michael Pollard began the rescue mission with a solid 60 in 154 minutes before he became Shaw's third victim, caught behind by Reece Young.
Auckland v Wellington first day scoreboard click here
