Close Central Districts 295 for 9 decl. (Griggs 100*, Spearman 58, Sinclair 52; Agarkar 4-50) lead Indian XI 209 all out (Ganguly 48, Tendulkar 44) by 86 runs
Scorecard

India's traditional frailty against tail-end batsmen came back to harass them as Central Districts, anchored by a gritty unbeaten hundred from Bevan Griggs, established a lead of 86 runs before rain and bad light brought an end to the proceedings at Napier, 25.4 overs before the scheduled close. India had picked up five wickets in the second hour of the morning, reducing Central Districts to 153 for 7, before Griggs – who formerly kept wicket – launched the restoration, with more than a little help from Michael Mason, Brent Hefford and Lance Hamilton. While Ajit Agarkar made good use of the conditions, the other Indian bowlers did little to suggest that they have the teeth to bowl international-class opposition out away from home. Mason made 21, and the other two nine apiece even as Griggs took the Indian attack apart at the other end, smashing 11 fours and one six en route to an even hundred. He comfortably beat his previous highest first-class score of 76, joining the long ranks of batsmen who will recall Indian bowling with tremendous fondness. It could have been so different had India bowled with an iota of discipline in the second session. Tinu Yohannan had given them a breakthrough after drinks, catching Craig Spearman off his own bowling, before Agarkar chipped in with the wickets of Mathew Sinclair, Martin Sigley and Andrew Schwass. Harbhajan Singh had Jamie How shouldering arms, and India were well set for a first-innings lead. Griggs however had very different ideas and the afternoon chastisement went on until the rain started just before tea. Given his bowlers' display late on, Sourav Ganguly could be forgiven for a mood as dark as the skies overhead.

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