Wellington, March 22 NZPA - Craig Cumming is nearing a notable landmark after the Otago cricket captain led by example against Plunket Shield rivals Northern Districts today.

Cumming and debutant Darren Broom both scored centuries on the third day of the four-day match as Otago snared first innings points at Cobham Oval in Whangarei.

Broom, 24, became the ninth Otago player to top three figures on debut for the province, scoring 119 as he and Cumming put on 247 for the second wicket after resuming this morning with their team on 165 for one chasing Northern Districts' first innings of 465 for nine declared.

They got there comfortably, reaching stumps on 486 for three, with Cumming's 160 a standout which featured 27 fours in 479 minutes before he was trapped leg before wicket by Graeme Aldridge.

It was the 34-year-old former international's 18th first-class century and his 16th for Otago, leaving him just one behind the record of 17 scored by New Zealand legend Bert Sutcliffe for the province between 1946/47 and 1961/62.

Broom was no less impressive, hitting 13 fours and two sixes in a stay of 343 minutes.

He was the first to depart today, caught by Kane Williamson off Aldridge, and one run later Cumming joined him in the pavilion as 341 for one became 342 for three.

That was only a minor blip, though, as Nathan McCullum and Greg Todd combined for a unbroken fourth wicket stand of 144 to take Otago past the home side's total.

McCullum was the aggressor as he made 88 not out with 14 boundaries while Todd was unbeaten on 51.

Left-arm spinner Bruce Martin got through a power of work for little reward, going wicketless for 54 overs but conceding just 101 runs during his marathon effort.

Northern Districts lead the competition by 12 points from Central Districts, who have conceded first innings points in their ninth round match against Auckland.

A draw in Whangarei will suit them fine, providing Central Districts do not perform a minor miracle and beat Auckland, as it will ensure them of the shield title ahead of the final round of matches starting on Monday.

NZPA WGT md