Game Sitch

• The Auckland Aces couldn't add a whole lot to their overnight total and now find themselves destined for a big run chase. Central Districts spent the day working their way to 259/6 and a 301 run lead. Ben Smith worked his way to 89 while youngster Will Young hit 87 to put the Stags in a strong position heading in to day 3 and if they can get their lead up around 400 they'd be happy.
• Northern Districts reached 223 in their first dig, but it was their Black Cap seam attack that gave them a huge advantage over Wellington. Trent Boult picked up 5/37 in a mediocre (sarcasm) effort while Tim Southee chipped in with 3 to skittle the Firebirds for 117. The Knights finished they day with a 304 run lead (198/3) thanks to skipper Daniel Flynn's 112 off 144 balls, captain's knock that one.
• Otago toiled their way to 369 against Canterbury with Aaron Redmond (71), Michael Bracewell (73) and Mark Craig (65) they only scores of note. Canterbury finished the day 176/3, 193 runs behind which is largely thanks to Roneel Hira who bagged a hundy off 125 balls at the top of the order.

That Man Deserves A Mean Feed

• Tim Southee and Trent Boult are cricketing royalty in New Zealand, so they'd probably need some high class pork belly, Trent's shout.
• Daniel Flynn probably deserves to tag along, yet another century for the skip.
• Roneel Hira, you sir should head out in to the heartland and shoot a pig. Get someone to skin it and prepare it for ya though.

Observations From The Observatory

• Congrats to Hira, I'm still not convinced but he's doing a pretty good job of making me look like a dick.
• Good to see Hira's Cantab spin twin - Todd Astle back in the wickets. He got 3, including the wicket of Brendon McCullum, boom.
• Young Gun alert - Will Young got runs.
• We expect it, but I don't think we really see it enough with Black Caps coming back and dominating. The performances of Southee and Boult is precisely what you want to see.
• Lovely from Daniel Flynn as well, that's his 16th Plunket Shield hundy. Big up, big up.