Canterbury resumed its second innings on two for three, trailing Otago by 84 runs, in the Plunket Shield match in Rangiora yesterday.
Dean Brownlie scored a fine century and combined in useful partnerships with Henry Nicholls (41) and Brad Cachopa (35) to help Canterbury add 305 runs to its overnight score for the loss of just five wickets.
At stumps on day three, Todd Astle (45 not out) and debutant Ben McCord (41 not out) had helped their side reach 307 for eight - a lead of 221 runs.
Otago coach Vaughn Johnson was philosophical about his side's misfortune.
Neil Wagner was struck on the side of the head by a ball during the warm-up and, despite the nasty blow, tried to get through some overs for the team. But after just nine deliveries he left the field.
James McMillan injured his ankle and was only able to get through seven overs. Both players will not take any further part in the match.
"It left us a wee bit short," Johnson said.
"The other guys did their part.
"Mark Craig bowled reasonably well but at the end of the day they got 300-odd runs for five wickets. So it has been a tough day but that is what first-class cricket is all about.
Otago's attack lacked venom without McMillan and, in particular, Wagner. The South African-born left-armer had struck twice late on day two to leave Canterbury's second innings in tatters.
Canterbury captain Peter Fulton added just 11 to his overnight score of two before he got an edge through to keeper Derek de Boorder.
But Brownlie remained resolute, rescuing the home side with an innings of 113.
He shared in an 85-run stand for the fifth-wicket with Nicholls and combined with Cachopa in a partnership of 77 for the sixth wicket.
Craig picked up Brownlie's wicket when the batsman hit a return catch to the bowler.
With Canterbury eight down, Otago would have been hopeful of ending the innings promptly.
But new Black Caps legspinner Todd Astle had other ideas. He counterattacked with a brisk 95 in the first innings and the former opening batsman was in no mood to throw his wicket away.
He combined with McCord to steer the Wizards past 300.
At Nelson Park in Napier, Central Districts declared at 383 for eight, having added 82 runs to its overnight score.
Mathew Sinclair starred with 143 and Wellington's Andy McKay was the pick of the bowlers with three for 63 from 26.3 overs.
Wellington made a steady reply with Michael Papps (52) and Stephen Murdoch (48) combining in a 102-run opening stand.
But Central's seam attack stuck to the task and had reduced Wellington to 254 for eight by stumps on day two.
Former Black Cap Jesse Ryder was 84 not out.
Scoreboard
CANTERBURY
First innings 297
OTAGO
First innings 383
CANTERBURY
Second innings (resumed 2-3)
G Worker lbw b Craig 0
P Fulton c de Boorder b Craig 13
W Lonsdale b Wagner 0
S Stewart lbw b Wagner 0
D Brownlie c&b Craig 113
H Nicholls c de Boorder b Butler 41
B Cachopa c Rutherford b Neesham 35
G Andrew lbw b Craig 0
T Astle not out 45
B McCord not out 41
Extras (3b, 10lb, 2wd, 4nb) 19
Total (for 8 wkts, 100 overs) 307
Fall: 1/1 (Worker), 2/2 (Lonsdale), 3/2 (Stewart), 4/34 (Fulton), 5/119 (Nicholls), 6/196 (Cachopa), 7/199 (Andrew), 8/224 (Brownlie)
Bowling: N Wagner 3.3 overs, 1 maiden, 4 runs, 2 wickets; M Craig 39-6-103-4 (2nb), J McMillan 7-1-20-0, S Wells 15.3-3-54-0 (1w), I Butler 17-3-56-1 (2nb), J Neesham 17-6-51-1 (1w), N Broom 1-0-6-0Canterbury leads by 221 runs with 2 wickets in hand
