Chris Harris might have missed out on a place in the all-time Canterbury XI, but he proved his worth to the modern generation of players and supporters when setting up a possible match-winning advantage over Otago at Alexandra today.

When Canterbury began the second day today at 31/3, it seemed unlikely that they could secure a first innings lead over Otago.

The Canterbury batsmen never looked completely assured against the bowling of David Sewell.

But after some resolute batting from Harris, Paul Wiseman and Peter Fulton, they eventually went on to gain a lead of 18 runs. Harris scored 51 and helped add 78 runs for the sixth wicket with Fulton (33).

When Fulton was out at 174/8 there was still a lot of work for the remaining two Canterbury wickets to do to overhaul the Otago first innings total of 206. Wiseman was not fazed at all by this and hit hard to be finally dismissed last for 44 and with the Canterbury total at 224.

When rain sent the players and umpires from the field at 4.37 pm Otago were badly situated at 19/2.

Sewell recorded his second best career figures of seven for 64 from 24 overs and deserved this success. He bowled a good line and length throughout.

Kerry Walmsley took one for 67 from 22 overs and Craig Pryor one for 51 from 17 but were a little wayward at times. Nathan Morland with one for 32 from 11 overs captured the remaining wicket.

Otago began their second innings only 18 runs in arrears but were soon in trouble when they lost Robbie Lawson and Craig Cumming, who bagged a pair, when the total was 19 - soon to be followed by Brendon McCullum and Chris Gaffaney with no further addition to the score.

At that stage it seemed the game could possibly end on day two.

Rain interrupted play for almost an hour and after the resumption it was calculated that to complete the required number of overs for the day, light permitting, play would go to 7.45pm.

Light didn't permit and at 7.03pm play was abandoned for the day with the Otago total at 75/5 - a lead of 57 with two days play remaining.

Wade Cornelius with three wickets to go with his four from the first innings was the successful Canterbury bowler while Ryan Burson and Harris captured one victim each.

At this stage it would seem Canterbury would be favoured to achieve the outright win but Otago obviously will be fighting hard to somehow achieve their first and only outright win of the season.

© CricInfo