Northern Districts in healthy position on Otago

Another solid effort epitomised Northern Districts' Plunket Shield cricket season today.

The competition leaders ended the opening day of their ninth round fixture against Otago in Whangarei on a healthy 325 for six.

Three half-centuries dotted their scoreboard at Cobham Oval, the best of them by Brad Wilson, who resumes tomorrow on 87 and within sight of just his third first-class century.

The 24-year-old hit 10 boundaries in 203 minutes to build on the earlier good work of his openers Daniel Flynn and Michael Parlane, who laid a settled platform in a partnership of 113.

Left-hander Flynn made 65 and Parlane 60, while Wilson was helped out in the final session by his skipper James Marshall, who made 41, and wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan with 21 not out.

Spinners Nathan McCullum and Nick Beard bowled more than half of their team's overs, McCullum sending down 29 overs for a return of two for 77 and Beard taking three for 66 off 26.

- NZPA