Strauss ton not enough

Andrew Strauss

England’s Andrew Strauss hit a century but it was not enough to stave off defeat for Northern Knights against State Shield holders Auckland at Hamilton.

Chasing 279 to win, Strauss scored 106 and Peter McGlashan made 62 from just 26 balls as the Knights fell five runs short of their target.

England opener Strauss shared a third-wicket stand of 100 with James Marshall after they lost two wickets at the start of the innings.

Earlier, Scott Styris and Richard Jones put on 142 for the third wicket to set up what proved to be a winning total of 278 for seven for Auckland.

Strauss will join up with the England squad for the Test leg of the tour, which begins with a tour match against Otago starting on February 27.

New Zealand off-spinner Jeetan Patel and seamer Iain O'Brien took four wickets each to help Wellington to victory over Central Stags in Palmerston North.

Needing 31 off the final six overs to win, Central lost their last five wickets for 10 runs in the space of 22 balls as they slipped to a 21-run defeat.