Northern Districts ended the first day of their sixth-round State Championship match with the advantage over the hosts, having elected to bat on an even green Eden Park Outer Oval pitch and finishing with a satisfying 301 for six.

The Northern score was built on the back of, first, a controlled 85-run partnership by James Marshall (55) and Michael Parlane (31) after the first-over departure of Matthew Hart and, second, a superbly constructed 73 from the all-rounder Scott Styris batting at number four.

Styris applied a judicious leave, a solid defence and a brutal demolition of anything loose, in the process hitting the leg spinner Brooke Walker out of the attack after just two overs.

On a pitch that was offering a little movement off the seam, his departure at 225/5 might have signalled difficulties. Instead the Auckland bowlers - Chris Drum excepted - failed to apply pressure and first Grant Bradburn (44) and then Robbie Hart (27 not out) and Joseph Yovich (18 not out) ensured Northern ended the day in a position from which they could dictate proceedings.

Drum ended with two for 61 from 21 overs. Richard Morgan, his opening partner, failed to find a consistent line. He ended with one for 52 from 23, figures that flattered through the number of balls the batsmen did not need to play.

Sanjeewa Silva, the Sri Lankan medium pacer playing his first first-class match in New Zealand, ended with two for 55 from 19 - more consistent in line than Morgan but also consistently too far outside off to trouble the batsmen. He also contributed eight no-balls to the total.

In fact the total of 16 no-balls and three wides added to Auckland's bowling woes, not least because they went 25 minutes past the scheduled close.

Northern will start the second day intending to build on a solid base; Auckland will be seeking to find a tighter line to cut short their oppositions' progress.

© CricInfo