Wellington started out with good intentions on day three of their State Championship match with Otago at Carisbrook today, but the loss of wickets forced it to abandon any hopes of first innings points and declare to set up a last day run chase.

With the weather looking so gloomy early on it would have been a fair enough choice by Wellington had they intended to grind out first innings points, but they chose to attack, none more than nightwatchman Andrew Penn who hit out to score 66 from 87 balls.

His efforts were backed by Matthew Bell who scored 44 and David Sales 42.

With the weather improving, the prospect of two full days on the last two days rose and the Wellington declaration at 213/6. Kerry Walmsley maintained his impressive mid-season form, claiming three wickets for 59 runs.

This declaration meant that Otago had a lead of 149 and it started its second innings in an aggressive frame of mind, particularly Brendon McCullum, who bludgeoned his way to 50 in 31 minutes from 26 balls.

McCullum advised Cricinfo that he had planned to go on to get a three figure score and it was very annoying to get out when chasing a wide ball. The field had been put out and he felt determined then to pace himself and gather in the runs.

It was his fastest first-class 50 and he was enjoying playing for Otago. Any higher honours would obviously be gratefully accepted but at the moment the focus was on cricket at this level, he said.

Otago didn't have it all their own way as they attempted to score in a brisk fashion to enable a declaration possibly by the end of play today.

However, Wellington, mindful of facing a huge target, set a defensive field and the runs had to be worked rather than hit. In the event Otago's second innings saw them score 175/5 by stumps, a lead of 324 runs.

Andrew Hore was 48 not out and Craig Pryor 20, as Otago look to score a few more quick runs tomorrow morning to leave Wellington possibly around 340 to get to win.

This is gettable and should provide some enthralling cricket. In this unsatisfactory NZ summer so far we await the will of the weather Gods.

© CricInfo