Wellington, March 20 NZPA - Central Districts made an abject start but their final stand had nearly levelled the ledger after the first day of their Plunket Shield cricket match against Auckland today.

Reeling at three for seven after losing Bevan Patton and Tim Weston without a run on the board, Central were dismissed minutes before the scheduled end of play for 269 at Auckland's Colin Maiden Park.

For that they could largely thank a stolid 56 from opener George Worker and a last-wicket partnership of 67 between captain Bevan Griggs and No 11 Adam Milne.

Griggs, who earlier won the toss, top-scored with an unbeaten 65 while Milne contributed a lively 36 off 50 balls against a frustrated Auckland attack.

Two little-used Auckland spinners both produced career-best figures.

Indian-born Bhupinder Singh, in just his third first class match, took four for 93 and removed four of the five top-scorers.

Part-time legspinner Jeet Raval, 21, claimed two late scalps for 10 runs.

Second-placed Central are the only team who can catch Plunket Shield leaders Northern Districts but need an outright win in this match to have any chance of staying in the hunt with a round to play.