![PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON](https://www.odt.co.nz/sites/default/files/styles/odt_square_extra_large/public/story/2023/09/pba_bowls_1.jpg?itok=726fwlP2)
PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Merrilees is competing in his eighth successive transtasman event, which pits five New Zealand bowlers against five Australians over five rounds, culminating in a best-of-three final.
The clash was on a knife-edge after the opening day as Australia had five wins and New Zealand seven.
Dunedin bowler Oliver Mason, on debut, won two of his three matches.