Black Cap BJ Watling warmed up for New Zealand's tour to Australia with his seventh first-class hundred as he smashed 150 for Northern Districts today.
The South African-born right-hander faced 299 balls in his knock against Otago at the University Oval in Dunedin, which included 14 fours as he laid the platform for Northern to rack up 482-5 declared in their first innings of the rain-affected game.
Watling was left in New Zealand later than his Black Caps' team-mates in a bid to find some form in the Plunket Shield ahead of the two-test series after a mixed trip to Zimbabwe recently.
The move appears to have paid off for Black Caps' coach John Wright, who has now seen four of his 13-man national squad hammer big hundreds in domestic cricket recently after Kane Williamson, Martin Guptill and Dean Brownlie all scored heavily in the previous round.
Watling's knock was supported by Joey Yovich, Peter McGlashan and Brad Wilson who all posted half centuries in Northern's total, although the game is unlikely to see a result as it heads in to the final day tomorrow.
Otago ended the day at 40-2, with Aaron Redmond and Neil Broom back in the dressing room for low scores after Graeme Aldridge picked up a couple of late wickets for Northern.
At Lincoln, Wellington declared their first innings behind in a bid to force a result against Auckland.
The men from the capital called it in at 233-5 after Luke Woodcock brought up his fifth first-class century, in reply to Auckland's first innings of 357-7 declared.
Auckland pulled the pin on their first dig after the 110-over period for accumulating bonus points had expired and their total was largely inflated due to some hefty striking from overseas import Andre Adams who blasted 79 from 54 balls.
The one-time test player for New Zealand blazed seven fours and four sixes as he and Colin de Grandhomme put on an unbeaten 117 for the eighth wicket.
Auckland finished day three on 43-2, 167 runs ahead, and they might fancy themselves a chance of setting Wellington a tricky total from two sessions if they can rattle the scoreboard along at the start of day four.
Opener Jeet Raval closed the day unbeaten on 23 with journeyman Neal Parlane yet to score.
In Rangiora, Canterbury also declared their first innings behind at 251-6 in reply to Central Districts' effort of 307.
Former international Peter Fulton top-scored for the Cantabrians with 76, while all-rounder Andrew Ellis added a useful 65 not out from No 6.
Debutant paceman Roald Badenhorst picked up 3-68 as the Manawatu right-armer was the pick of the bowlers for Central.
Peter Ingram and Jamie How began Central's second innings at a brisk pace but when How was trapped in front for 17 the scoring rate slowed as CD closed the day at 150-3, 206 runs in front.
Ingram finished with 62 from 79 balls, while veteran Mathew Sinclair (37) and Greg Todd (seven) were both unbeaten at the close of play.
Central are in a similar position to Auckland and could make a game of their clash with some dashing first session batting tomorrow and a sporting declaration.
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