Bat continued to dominate ball in a high scoring Plunket Shield cricket match before Auckland's bowlers rocked a flaky Wellington to gain the ascendancy today.
Centuries to Auckland opener Tim McIntosh and captain Richard Jones carried their side to an imposing 480 for three declared on the third day of the four-day fixture at Colin Maiden Park in Auckland.
That left Wellington with a first innings deficit of three runs, but they made a mess of their second innings as they capitulated to be all out for 122 on a batting surface which had earlier given up 957 runs for the loss of 14 wickets.
That has left Auckland requiring just 120 tomorrow to complete their first outright win of the season.
Wellington had not even wiped out the meagre deficit before losing Cameron Merchant and Michael Pollard in their second innings.
Both Merchant and Pollard registered ducks as Wellington began unconvincingly, and their position quickly worsened as they were reduced to 52 for four as opener Neal Parlane and Luke Woodcock joined them in the pavilion for 21 and 30 respectively.
Former international Chris Nevin was next to go, slapping a long hop from legspinner Tarun Nethula directly to a fielder, then injured captain Matthew Bell and Jeetan Patel came and went cheaply as the visitors continued their downward spiral.
Stewart Rhodes went next, run out for 12, before Nethula picked up his third wicket at cheap cost by bowling Ili Tugaga for a duck before finishing with four for 17 when he bowled tailender Sunnie Chan.
Earlier, Auckland's impressive total was built around an outstanding partnership of 212 for the second wicket between McIntosh and Jones, who resumed this morning with their team a solid 210 for one after McIntosh and Raval shared an opening stand of 169 yesterday.
McIntosh and Jones gave the Wellington bowlers little respite, with tall New Zealand left-hander McIntosh warming up for the upcoming test series against Australia with a mighty 171 in 391 minutes, his 15th first-class century.
McIntosh hit 20 fours and four sixes before being dismissed by spinner Luke Woodcock, while 36-year-old Jones raised his 17th first-class hundred before departing for 107.
Reece Young then hit 54 not out and Anaru Kitchen 32 not out before Jones declared the innings immediately upon Wellington's tally being reached.
