Nikolai Smith and James Shannon on song for Northern Knights

All the morning session was lost to rain, and also the last 15 minutes of the extended day, meaning 25 overs in total were lost to the elements.

Shannon and Smith shared a second wicket stand of 132 after the early loss of Waringtown opener James McCollum - well caught at second slip by George Dockrell off Eddie Richardson (1-35) for 1.

It was all the more impressive given that Smith was operating as a makeshift opener, following the late withdrawl of regular opener Chris Dougherty through injury.

The South African dominated the stand with his Shaw’s Bridge colleague, striking 12 boundaries in his 77 from 168 deliveries. Shannon faced 224 deliveries for his unbeaten 62.

The Knights finished the day on 193 for 2. With the second new ball due in just one over tomorrow, it promises to be a crucial passage of play in the hunt for bonus points.