Northern Districts took a narrow lead at the top of the Plunket Shield table after their win over Wellington, while Canterbury had a big win over Central Districts to put themselves in the mix for the championship.
Wellington climbed to the top of the Plunket Shield ladder with their win over Canterbury in Rangiora, taking the top spot from Northern Districts who had a draw in Auckland.
A New Zealand cricket showcase is about to begin with Blackcaps playing five T20Is vs Pakistan as part of a double-header extravaganza with White Ferns.
The White Ferns had a 2-0 ODI series win vs Sri Lanka and now prepare for three T20Is against the tourists starting on Friday.
Plunket Shield cricket is back with Northern Districts and Wellington grabbing wins to snap up the top spots on the ladder. Plus Tom Bruce, Dane Cleaver, Josh Clarkson and Bevon Jacobs piled up the runs in a draw between Central Districts and Auckland.
New Zealand are in the Champions Trophy final and while it would be another glorious achievement to win the final vs India, the calm before the final provides a better zone to assess Blackcaps cricket.
Canterbury has gone back to back with Ford Trophy championships and have won three of the last five one-day competitions in Aotearoa after defeating Auckland in the final.
Otago has sparked up an Hallyburton Johnstone Shield dynasty after winning this season's final vs Auckland to make it three HBJ Shield championships in the last four seasons.