Auckland openers Matt Horne and Tim McIntosh batted their side back into a strong position on day three of their State Championship match with Otago in the continuing run fest at Carisbrook today.

Auckland were 275 for one at stumps, a lead of 274.

Otago resumed their first innings still 87 runs behind Auckland on the first innings but wicket-keeper Martyn Croy and Craig Pryor made up for the early loss of Chris Gaffaney for his overnight score of 36.

Croy scored 58 not out and Pryor 22 not out as Otago declared immediately upon passing the Auckland total with six wickets down.

It has not been a match for bowlers and of the Auckland attack, Tama Canning did best by sending down 27 overs and taking two for 71 by bowling economically. Kyle Mills tended to be too short and took two for 90 from his 17 overs.

Auckland started its second innings cautiously with Horne and McIntosh again its opening pair and not even the most optimistic Auckland supporter could have foreseen what was about to unfold.

They put on 240 for the first wicket and in so doing broke the record for Auckland's first wicket of 169 against Otago set in 1976/77 at Eden Park by Austin Parsons and Jim Riley.

Horne was finally out for 127 from 139 balls which included 21 fours. McIntosh, who was on 113 at stumps, had played a subservient role to Horne while scoring his third century of the first-class season, but nevertheless it was a most valuable one and his timing particularly towards the end of the day was quite magnificent.

Horne, the faster and more experienced of the two, registered his 21st first-class hundred, and he told Cricinfo, "It was great to have Tim McIntosh at the other end and for both of us to be scoring well.

"It was great to be back at Carisbrook and to be batting on an excellent pitch," he said.

McIntosh said he enjoyed the experience of batting with the New Zealand opener and relished the occasion of them both scoring centuries.

Auckland's decision tomorrow should it look to push for outright points by making a challenging declaration will know that its hopes rest on the timing of the close on a pitch which has been another first rate Carisbrook track.

The weather forecast is good and a result seems highly likely.

© CricInfo