Otago coach Vaughn Johnson is hopeful his side can force a result when its Plunket Shield match against Canterbury in Rangiora resumes today.
Canterbury declared its first innings closed at 420 for nine, and at stumps on day two Otago was 122 for two.
The game appears destined for a draw, but with six sessions still to play, anything can happen, Johnson said.
‘'They batted for four and a-half sessions trying to get into a situation where they bat once and maybe they haven't got quite enough to do that.
‘‘[This] morning will be crucial for us. We need to leave the door open so we can still get a result, but obviously we've still got a bit of work to do to get up towards their total.''
It is unlikely Otago will be able to call on the services of fast bowler James McMillan. He has a thigh injury and did not bowl yesterday.
Canterbury resumed on 286 for four. Wicketkeeper Tom Latham added a further 10 runs to his overnight score to raise his third first-class half century.
Otago strike bowler Neil Wagner nicked out the 19-year-old left-hander and then turned on his batting partner, debutant Henry Nicholls. Nicholls reached 33 before he was bowled.
Wagner was expensive on the opening day, with one for 71 from 17 overs. But he took two for 33 from an eight over stint in the morning session to help Otago claw its way back into the contest.
Experienced campaigners Andrew Ellis and Todd Astle held up Otago's progress with a 63-run stand for the seventh wicket.
England international Steven Finn struck just before the break, removing Astle for 31. But Canterbury would have gone to lunch satisfied at 399 for seven.
Ryan McCone (12) holed out shortly after the break and Willie Lonsdale (1) was bowled third ball by Finn.
Ellis posted an undefeated 83-ball half century - his 13th first-class 50. The declaration came shortly after.
Otago's openers, Aaron Redmond and Craig Cumming, made a steady reply, getting through to 60 without loss. But with the tea break in sight, Astle trapped Redmond lbw for 29 and Cumming (26) got an edge to a delivery from Lonsdale shortly after the resumption.
Twenty-year-old Michael Bracewell helped ease the jitters in the changing room with some brave batting, whacking a series of boundaries and quickly moved into the 40s.
His batting partner, Neil Broom, was more circumspect, scoring 14 from 49 balls before bad light curtailed play shortly after the tea break.
Wickets tumbled in Whangarei as Northern Districts closed day two of its Plunket Shield clash with Auckland needing 264 runs to win outright.
In Napier, Wellington hammered the Central Districts bowlers to all corners of Nelson Park and was 407 for five in reply to CD's first innings total of 253.
