Gillespie's six-wicket haul rocks Canterbury

A six-wicket haul by Mark Gillespie, the fast bowler, put Wellington on top at the end of the first day in their State Championship match against Canterbury at Wellington. Canterbury lost their way after a solid opening stand of 85 between Todd Astle (56) and Michael Papps (25), losing three quick wickets for two runs, all falling to Gillespie. Chris Harris (29) and Andrew Ellis (28) staged a recovery, adding 45 for the fifth wicket, before Grant Elliot claimed both victims. Gillespie ended the day with figures of 6 for 78, his sixth five-wicket haul in first-class cricket as Canterbury finished on 256 for 9 at stumps.

Rain washed out the first day's play in two State Championship games at Auckland and Hamilton between Auckland and Otago and between Northern Districts and Central Districts respectively. Central Districts and Otago are tied at second place with 26 points in the points table, with the former slightly ahead on net runs-per-wicket. Both games are scheduled to commence at 10.00am local time Monday morning.