Ford Trophy finalists the Central Stags have made one change to the squad as they head to Auckland for the last round ahead of this season’s Final — which will be contested in Queenstown on Saturday.

BEN WHEELER returns from injury for tomorrow’s dress rehearsal at Kennards Hire Community Oval (Eden Park outer oval) and, if in the starting XI, will be seeking his 50th List A wicket at the same ground where he took his one-day career best of 4-24.

It’s Wheeler’s first Ford Trophy call-up since he injured his elbow during the Dream11 Super Smash campaign, with RAY TOOLE - who was 12th man for both wins against the Firebirds at Pukekura Park - dropping out of the travelling 12.

*** UPDATE: Ray Toole has rejoined the squad in Auckland after an injury to Ben Wheeler in training at Eden Park, taking the sgroup in Auckland to 13 ***

 

ROSS TAYLOR | MBUTCHER

The Stags are the top qualifier for this year's Final, and will maintain that advantage no matter what happens tomorrow; while the Aces have locked in their trip to Queenstown as the second qualifier after blitzing the Otago Volts on Tuesday.

Former Stag George Worker shared an Aces record partnership of 260 with Martin Guptill after his third one-day century of the season with the Aucklanders, like the Stags, on a winnng roll - setting up a great contest.

Stags captain TOM BRUCE said that with the Final already locked in, it was important to approach tomorrow's Round 10 match against the Aces with the usual mindset.

“It’s nice to have locked in a finals spot in Queenstown after last weekend's results against the Firebirds," said Bruce.

"We welcome back Ben Wheeler to the squad after a layoff with injury, he’s a welcome addition to the side in a game that’s great preparation for the Final, when we meet the Aces again two days later.

"The boys are full of confidence and we are playing great cricket, so it’s about being consistent for another two games.”

JOSH CLARKSON | MBUTCHER

 

The Stags head into tomorrow's match without having dropped a game all season, after five wins and four washouts — with bonus points from four of those victories helping ensure their position at the top of the ladder, which secures the title in the event of a rainout.

ROSS TAYLOR's strike rate is through the roof, the legend now averaging almost 50 in his Stags one-day career after contributing an unbeaten century (111 not out) and 50 in the latest two games.

JOSH CLARKSON is poised to play his 50th Central Stags game in the one-day format on Thursday while class allrounder DOUG BRACEWELL heads in on 99 List A career wickets.

Tomorrow's match is live-scored and livestreamed free from 11am at www.cdcricket.co.nz while the Final will be livestreamed and on demand on SPARK SPORT.

THE FORD TROPHY

Game 10

v

Auckland Aces

11am Thursday 24 February 2022

Kennards Hire Community Oval - gates closed to public

Tom Bruce - captain - Taranaki

Doug Bracewell - Hawke’s Bay

Josh Clarkson - Nelson

Joey Field - Hawke’s Bay

Jayden Lennox - Hawke’s Bay

Adam Milne - Manawatu

Seth Rance - Wairarapa

Brad Schmulian - Hawke's Bay

Ben Smith - Whanganui

Ross Taylor - Manawatu

Ben Wheeler - Marlborough

Bayley Wiggins - wicketkeeper - Hawke's Bay

COACH • Rob Walter

Unavailable for selection:

Ajaz Patel (calf), Dane Cleaver (hamstrong), Will Young (BLACKCAPS), Blair Tickner (BLACKCAPS)

AUCKLAND ACES

Robbie O'Donnell (c)

Adithya Ashok

Mark Chapman

Martin Guptill

Lockie Ferguson

Ben Horne

Simon Keene

Jock McKenzie

Glenn Phillips

Ollie Pringle

Will Somerville

George Worker

**

Looking ahead....

THE FORD TROPHY GRAND FINAL will be contested on Saturday, 26 February 2022

at John Davies Oval, Queenstown - gates are closed to public

Watch the coverage live and on demand at SPARK SPORT

from 11am NZT this Saturday

Article added: Wednesday 23 February 2022