Central Districts clawed their way back into the State Championship final after putting up a solid second-innings total against Auckland at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval

Auckland maintained their stranglehold on Central Districts after the third day of the State Championship final in Lincoln

Centuries to Richard Jones and Anaru Kitchen put Auckland in a commanding position in the State Championship final in Lincoln

Anaru Kitchen stroked a fluent 115 as Auckland assumed total command at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval. He was given good support by captain Richard Jones, who scored 109, as they ended with a sizeable lead

A five-wicket haul from Lance Shaw ensured Auckland took opening-day honours against Central Districts in the final of the State Championship at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval

A round-up of the State Championship matches between March 28 and 31, 2009

Jacob Oram, the New Zealand allrounder, has said he will pull out of the IPL if he does not recover from his Achilles tendon injury before the first-class championship game starting April 5

Kane Williamson, Northern Districts' 18-year old middle-order batsman, who hit his maiden first-class century this week, has been marked out as New Zealand's future Michael Clarke by his domestic coach Grant Bradburn

A round-up of the State Championship matches between March 20 and 24, 2009