A marathon innings of 75 from 276 balls by Joseph Yovich dominated the first day's play between Northern Districts and Central Districts at WestpacTrust Park, Hamilton.

However, the loss of three wickets in the last hour left CD ahead on points on a day which never got above second gear.

It finished with ND 221/6, having won the toss.

The pitch offered some movement early on, but with good pace and reliable bounce it is a good batting surface on which a first innings par score should be at least 300.

In their last home State Championship game, lost to Wellington by one wicket, ND surrendered so many easy wickets that a white flag could have been flown over the changing room. Hence the emphasis on survival today.

James Marshall and Matthew Hart weathered the new ball well, putting on 46 for the first wicket before Hart was caught by Mathew Sinclair at third slip off Lance Hamilton for 13.

The appearance of Yovich at No 3 was a surprise. He had scored only 127 runs at 18.14 in this season's State Championship before today. A resolute 51 not out against Auckland in the last round prompted ND to give him a chance higher up the order.

Yovich scored 11 fours, but needs to develop the ability to move the score along with ones and twos in order to take the initiative away from the bowlers.

Late in the day, CD were convinced that Yovich had been caught behind, but umpire Peter Wright ruled that the ball had come off the pad. That was the nearest Yovich came to losing his wicket in a remarkable display of concentration that met the terms of his job description completely.

With Marshall, Yovich put on 67 for the second wicket. Marshall fell lbw to give Andrew Schwass his 31st wicket of the season.

Michael Parlane would have been the man to increase the tempo from the other end while Yovich dug in, but he holed out to deep mid on for 13 off Glen Sulzberger.

Hamish Marshall joined Yovich for a fourth wicket partnership of 72, but took the same attritional approach to batting.

The off spinners Sulzberger and Campbell Furlong bowled a long spell in tandem, conceding less than two an over without looking threatening. Neither batsmen attempted to disrupt line and length by using their feet.

With less than an hour to go it seemed that a secure platform had been built, ready for acceleration tomorrow, but everything changed when Hamilton returned with the new ball.

The left-armer took three wickets for 10 runs in a six-over spell, finishing the day with four for 64 from 20 overs.

Hamish Marshall was first to go, caught at third slip by Ben Smith for an 83-ball 35. Scott Styris followed, caught at third slip by Sinclair for four.

Furlong completed the trio of slip catches, taking Grant Bradburn at the second attempt before the batsman had scored.

Hamilton swung the ball and maintained an attacking length. Michael Mason also bowled well, at least a quarter of the 33 runs scored off his 20 overs coming off the edge. He was unlucky to finish wicketless.

It is vital for ND that Yovich stays there to reach his maiden first-class hundred tomorrow and that the ND tail supports him well. Durability is an asset, but not an end in itself.

The day was marked by the announcement that Simon Doull will be unavailable for selection for the rest of the season. Though he has not ruled out a return to one-day cricket next season, the tone of the press release suggested that this was the end of a most distinguished career for one of ND's most loyal and effective players.

A Doull cameo with the bat would have enlivened today's proceedings no end.

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