Wellington, March 14 NZPA - Central Districts are in the box seat with one day left in their Plunket Shield four-day cricket match against Wellington at Napier.

At stumps on the third day today, Central Districts were 172 for two in their second innings, needing another 54 runs for the outright win after conceding first innings points to Wellington.

Wellington squandered their opportunity to break a run of four heavy defeats in the competition when their fragile batting was once again exposed.

They posted a paltry 207 in their second innings as their batsmen, with the exception of Neil Parlane, struggled to establish a defendable total.

Parlane who started the day on 39, went on to share a partnership worth 55 with Luke Woodcock before the all rounder's dismissal for 29 sparked a collapse with Wellington losing their remaining six wickets for 126 runs.

Parlane was dismissed for 90, clean bowled by Doug Bracewell after a stay lasting eight hours and 15 minutes.

Wellington skipper Matthew Bell, nursing an injured finger on his right hand, came in at No 10 and lasted 42 minutes during which he was able to eke out 15 runs from the 26 balls faced.

Teenagers Bracewell and Adam Milne were once again Wellington's chief tormentors.

Bracewell took four for 59 today, giving him a nine wickets for 106 in the match while Milne's figures today were three for 41 to give him seven for 90.

Central's Peter Ingram celebrated his Black Caps test callup to play Australia with a 59 before giving Woodcock a return catch off his own bowling.

Skipper Jamie How was not far behind with a breezy 58 off 47 balls.

Brad Patton, on 28 and Tim Weston, 15, resume their innings tomorrow.