In between the lengthy rain delays, the Otago batter produced a special knock of 135 to help pull Otago through their run chase against the Wellington Firebirds at the University Oval yesterday.
Otago, who started yesterday in a quest for 184 runs to match Wellington’s first innings total of 357, will resume on 299 with two wickets in hand this morning.
Stumps were called early due to the weather.
Phillips resumed on 86 yesterday morning and stroked a nice four to bring up his seventh first-class century.
He continued through to 112, with partner Max Chu adding 37, before the rain really started to settle in.
The game ground to a halt for nearly three and a-half hours thanks to the pesky weather — a frustrating situation for Otago who were gaining momentum.
Phillips later resumed his duties at the crease only to be caught behind by Callum McLachlan off Liam Dudding’s bowling.
It was a superb effort from Phillips who finished with 135 off 250 balls, including 12 fours and two sixes across the two days.
Dudding then trapped Jake Gibson lbw and Michael Snedden removed Zac Cumming for 10.
Chu, who has been in fine form with the bat through the opening two Plunket Shield rounds, continued through for Otago.
He helped keep Otago ticking — he added 105 for the sixth wicket in partnership with Phillips, and finished not out 58 at stumps.
Dudding took three for 57 for Wellington.
Otago will be hopeful the wet weather stays away today.
■In Nelson, the Central Stags trail Canterbury by 112 runs with seven wickets remaining.
Canterbury's Rhys Mariu's mammoth knock reached 240 yesterday before he finally miscued a delivery from all-rounder Will Clark. Canterbury then declared for 492 for seven.
In Central’s second innings, Curtis Heaphy top-scored with 81 for Central.
Black Cap seamer Will O’Rourke took two for 27 in his 10 overs.
In Hamilton, Auckland Aces need a total of 371 to defeat hosts and Plunket Shield leaders Northern Districts today.
Northern captain Jeet Raval top-scored with an unbeaten 120 before his side declared at 252 for five.
Auckland were 53 for two at stumps yesterday.
WELLINGTON
First innings 357
OTAGO
First innings 299 for 8
T Parkes lbw b Dudding 1
J Cumming c van Beek b Younghusband 36
D Phillips c McLachlan b Dudding 135
L Georgeson b Younghusband 16
L Carter c Kelly b Snedden 0
L Johnson c Mycock b van Beek 21
M Chu not out 58
J Gibson lbw b Dudding 2
Z Cumming c Severin b Snedden 10
T Muller not out 0
Extras (1b, 9lb, 3w, 7nb) 20
Total (8 wkts in 91.5overs) 299
Fall: 1-6, 2-61, 3-88, 4-89, 5-169, 6-274, 7-287, 8-299
Bowling: L Dudding 20-4-57-3, L van Beek 19-1-89-1 (2w, 1nb), J Hartshorn 13-2-35-0, P Younghusband 21-3-63-2 (2nb), M Snedden 18.5-5-45-2 (1w, 4nb).
