Mathew Sinclair's 171 has been the main feature of Central Districts domination of Canterbury in the State Championship yesterday and today, though he is still unsure whether he has done enough to win back selection for next month's first Test in Christchurch.

"It's not my decision at the end of the day," he predictably told CricInfo today, after lengthy talks with various members of the CLEAR Black Caps management.

On an otherwise cold and featureless day, Sinclair's quality shone through in the 31 runs he added this morning. For the rest of the day no one managed to accumulate more.

He did not really inspire Central to its total of 365, but was partnered successfully by Peter Ingram and Ben Smith yesterday and Glen Sulzberger today. When Sinclair was out any semblance of batting fluency disappeared. Twelve wickets fell for 206 runs in the day, and just 112 runs were added after lunch.

Sinclair's 12 career first-class centuries have produced 1987 runs at an average of 248.37, or 165.58 per innings ignoring the four not outs. In other words, the right-handed top order batsman converts. His career record stands at 5451 runs at an average of 49.10.

Sinclair and New Zealand player development manager Ashley Ross were deep in discussion after his dismissal. Although Sinclair revealed little of his chat with Sir Richard Hadlee yesterday, the murmur is that his Test berth is secure.

Recovering Jacob Oram also spoke with Ross today when not hard at practice or reading an organisational management textbook. Oram will have a fitness check with New Zealand sports science medical co-ordinator Warren Frost tomorrow, but expects to be able to play for CD next week against Northern Districts in Hamilton.

Central Districts could have done with his heavy shot-making ability today as it added 98 for the loss of seven wickets in 36.5 overs to be all out just after lunch. Canterbury's fast bowler Wade Cornelius worked up some pace with the southerly at his back.

After ironically applauding the contemptuous Sinclair last night, Cornelius was pulled to the boundary. Today Sinclair again treated Cornelius' short stuff with disdain, but failed to reckon on a real effort ball that caused him to give an embarrassingly docile caught and bowled chance to the Canterbury quick.

When Cornelius took the catch, furious words were exchanged. They drove Cornelius on to take three more wickets to finish with 5-91 after having figures of 0-50 overnight. A winter at the New Zealand Academy has improved Cornelius' bowling and batting technique so much that the affable 23-year-old is now one of Michael Sharpe's first choices in the Canterbury team.

"He gets a little bit fired up at times doesn't he?" said Sinclair in an under-stated fashion. "It's funny when someone's on 170 and he's still having a go at you. What can you say?"

Canterbury's other successful bowler, Ryan Burson, removed overnight not out batsman Sulzberger for 27 after an hour's play and later had Bevan Griggs lbw for 28 to finish with a worthy 4-65 off 34 overs.

"I thought they bowled very well today. I think they bowled quite well right throughout yesterday and today," said Sinclair.

"The pitch is showing signs of wear but it's more just the inconsistency of the bounce at the moment that is making things hard," he continued.

However, CD's bowlers found life where Canterbury's men yesterday discovered nothing. Jarrod Englefield was caught behind off a first ball no-ball, but went the same way in the same over. Michael Papps' comeback innings lasted 11 balls and Shanan Stewart's impressive knock was ended by a brilliant diving catch by wicket-keeper Griggs.

It took the frail figures of Gary Stead and Robbie Frew to nudge Canterbury back into the game from 39/3, adding 46 in contrasting innings for the fourth wicket. Frew went boundary-less for 160 balls, while Stead was more fluent taking 66 deliveries over his 26.

Possibly Canterbury was too defensive in the effort to match CD's 365, and that tentativity was the downfall of Frew, who edged Sulzberger to Sinclair at slip and Stead, who was caught by Sulzberger at the wicket.

Both fell in the final hour, leaving Canterbury where they left off this morning - looking at no points for the second State Championship game in succession.

© CricInfo