Another explosive knock from Northern Districts allrounder Colin de Grandhomme has this weekend prevented the Otago Volts from going clear at the top of the Plunket Shield ladder.

The big power hitter followed up his first-inning contribution of 52 off just 38 balls for ND with 84 off 98 balls at Bay Oval on Saturday afternoon, including three consecutive sixes off spinner Michael Rippon. His knock effectively saved the match for ND after a strong of wickets meant they had in danger of losing outright on the final day.

Rippon ripped through the lower order for four wickets while standout paceman, and the only man to take bags in both rounds so far this season, Jacob Duffy finished with nine wickets for the match.

With time running out for a result, the teams shook hands with ND nine down in their second innings and leading overall by 184 on the last session.

Hitting the ground running this season, the Volts will now head to Hagley Oval for the most anticipated southern derby in years, meeting Canterbury in a top-of-the-table clash - both teams unbeaten, along with the Central Stags, after the first two rounds.

Northern Districts will head to Nelson to play the Stags while the Firebirds remain at home to host struggling defending champions, the as yet winless Auckland Aces, from 5 November.

ROUND TWO (split round)
• Northern Districts drew with Otago Volts

Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui
Scorecard & video highlights: https://scoring.nzc.nz
Detailed match report: https://www.nzc.nz/match-reports/plunket-shield-northern-districts-v-otago-volts/

Total points this round out of possible 20: Northern Districts 6, Otago Volts 6

STANDINGS AFTER TWO ROUNDS

Canterbury - 24 points (unbeaten, one draw, one win)
Otago Volts - 24 points (unbeaten, one win)
Wellington Firebirds - 24 points (one win, one loss)
Central Stags - 23 points (unbeaten, one draw, one win)
Northern Districts - 11 points (one loss, one draw)
Auckland Aces - 8 points (two losses)

Round Three begins at 10.30am on November 5 at Saxton Oval in Stoke, Nelson; Hagley Oval, Christchurch; and the Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington