Wellington, March 22 NZPA - Wellington allrounder James Franklin appreciated his return to domestic cricket with a fine century against Canterbury at Rangiora today.

Released from the New Zealand squad after their one-day series against Australia, Franklin dined out on a helpful batting surface to score 162, his 10th first-class century.

It complemented an equally impressive 137 from opener Neal Parlane as Wellington sparked to life on the third day of the four-day fixture to post 447 in their second innings.

That left Canterbury requiring 306 for victory, and Wellington gave themselves a realistic chance of pulling off a surprise result by reducing the hosts to 45 for three by the close.

Openers Rob Nicol and Michael Papps as well as Johann Myburgh were removed as Wellington, rolled for just 176 in their first innings, continued their fight back.

Canterbury had earned a first innings lead of 142 after scoring 318 and Wellington erased that deficit by the time they resumed this morning on 144 for two, with Parlane well set on 78 and Franklin on one.

They put on 176 for the third wicket before Parlane's fine knock ended to an edge behind after he had hit 17 fours and two sixes in 313 minutes.

Franklin continued on his merry way until he offered a return catch to spinner Rob Nicol, departing after 279 minutes at the crease during which time he struck 26 fours and a solitary six.

But his dismissal heralded a collapse, with Wellington losing four for 12 as their last six wickets fell for 47 runs as legspinner Todd Astle came to the fore.

Astle, 23, finished with five for 118 off 30 overs, his second five-wicket bag at this level.

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