Runs flowed in outstanding fashion at Carisbrook today as firstly Dion Nash and then Brendon McCullum struck centuries to remember in the Otago-Auckland State Championship match.

Nash resumed on 77, in sight of his fifth first-class century, and went on to achieve the mark and finish on 118. It was a quality innings by Nash who batted 203 minutes and faced 186 balls to reach his century.

He was well assisted by captain Brooke Walker, who scored 29 and Reece Young 35.

Auckland had good cause to feel happy with their 374, but knew also that Carisbrook had provided a good batting wicket.

That was soon evidenced when McCullum got into gear. While fellow opener Robbie Lawson was out when the score was seven, McCullum continued unabashed with a batting deluxe innings.

Otago coach Glenn Turner said McCullum had a philosophy that it was possible to score at a run a ball on a good Carisbrook wicket and that was borne out in his innings today.

His half century came even quicker than that, from 32 balls, and his maiden first-class century followed 60 balls later.

It was reward for the Otago selectors who saw a place as an opener for McCullum, a move that was backed by McCullum's enthusiasm.

He told CricInfo after the completion of the day's play, with Otago 287/4, still 87 runs behind Auckland, that he decided early that any ball in the hitting zone he would go for.

He was expecially keen to take his chance today after earlier innings this season had not produced the big one he was looking for.

"I was pleased to score my maiden hundred against a good team like Auckland and on Carisbrook where I watched so much cricket as a kid.

"I batted at No 6 last season for the New Zealand youth team, and it was pleasing to have some success as an opener. The work I put in at the Academy over the winter was hard but very worthwhile," he said.

International bowler Kyle Mills' figures, while improved by the end of play, bore the scars of McCullum's batting and while he had the satisfaction of ending his innings by bowling him, he finished the day with two for 67 from his 10 overs.

McCullum was on 104 not out at the tea break and he and Craig Cumming were reminded by Turner that they were still 200 runs behind Auckland and that they must go on. McCullum did go on to 142, scored off 147 balls and including 22 fours and two sixes.

He shared a 222-run stand for Otago's second wicket against Auckland, five short of equalling Peter Dobbs and Michael Lamont's record for the wicket.

Cumming was finally out for 73, scored from 198 balls, while Chris Gaffaney was heading the Otago bid to claim first innings points by ending the day on 36 not out, having lost Andrew Hore to the last ball of the day for 11.

Earlier, Craig Pryor finished with four for 106 for Otago and Kerry Walmsley three for 80.

© CricInfo