An assured 140 not out from Mathew Sinclair put Central Districts in a commanding position on the first day of their sixth round State Championship match against Canterbury at Christchurch's Village Green today.

Central Districts was 267/4 at the close of the first day on a slow pitch with an even more lethargic outfield.

Sinclair, the specialist converter of centuries into 150s and beyond, did it again today at QEII in front of the man who counts.

Watching chairman of selectors Sir Richard Hadlee was noticeably impressed by the way Sinclair built his innings after coming in at 37/1 in the 12th over.

Canterbury struggled to produce chances all day with Ryan Burson (2-52), who was not selected in Canterbury's original XI, the only successful bowler in the morning session, trapping David Kelly (24) lbw on the crease.

Kelly began with a couple of pulled boundaries, but the juicy outfield prevented several shots adding to the total of fours between the tenth and the 26th overs.

Before the start Canterbury's Stephen Cunis failed a fitness test on his injured thigh and Paul Wiseman was recalled. The former New Zealand off spinner was the day's only successful bowler other than Cunis' stand-in, Burson. Wiseman had promising newcomer Peter Ingram caught at slip for 35 shortly after lunch, which brought in Ben Smith, who scored 200 not out at New Plymouth when the sides last met in December, to join Sinclair, fresh from a score of 161 at Alexandra last week.

By then Sinclair had deliberately and leisurely played himself in before reaching 50 off 97 balls and his twelfth career century in 180 deliveries.

Characteristically, Sinclair's smooth stroke play did not stop there.

Since the right-hander scored his maiden century he has had innings of 166 not out against Auckland and 203 not out against Northern Districts in early 1999. He made 214 against the West Indies, 182 for the North Island and 102 for CD in 1999/00 then 100 not out against Zimbabwe President's XI, 150 against South Africa, 204 not out for New Zealand against Pakistan as well as a score of 145 for CD last season.

Sinclair's recent 161 against Otago signalled the 26-year old's readiness for England and the Test series. With today's innings only twice has the Australian-born batsman been out between 100 and 150.

Glen Sulzberger, his captain, told CricInfo: "When he gets in he just looks to keep going as much as he can. He was disappointed not to get 200 last week.

"We dominated most of the last game against Canterbury," he rued. Canterbury came back from conceding a double century to Smith to win when Aaron Redmond took four cheap wickets in CD's second innings.

Smith (41) departed to Burson in the 82nd over today, cutting late to Canterbury captain Gary Stead at gully.

The score was then 222/3 and could have been more but for the outfield and Canterbury bowling some good lines in the middle of the innings.

Sinclair and Sulzberger continued to stumps, quietly emphasising the CD advantage on a lethargic pitch that may take spin on the third and fourth days.

"The pitch is starting to crack up a little, especially at one end," said Sulzberger, rubbing his hands at the thought of bowling his off spin in the fourth innings. "Historically it doesn't turn here," he added, "but time will tell I suppose."

Canterbury, lacking hamstring-strain victim Warren Wisneski as well as their salvo of CLEAR Black Caps, struggled with the easterly wind all day. Quick bowlers Burson and Wade Cornelius bowled tight spells prior to lunch, but it may be the team's spinners who decide the outcome of the match.

Sinclair, the man who believes one hundred is never enough was reluctant to speak until the end of his innings.

"See him on the third day," joked a team mate. He might need to be taken seriously by Canterbury unless they can surprise him with the new ball tomorrow morning.

© CricInfo