Briefly switching formats this week, Ford Trophy leaders the CENTRAL STAGS are away on a quick trip to Christchurch for a top-of-the-table clash with Canterbury at Hagley Oval tomorrow, Wednesday 11 January.

The Stags have won four of their six one-day games so far this season, including three bonus-point victories to lead Canterbury on the table by two points.

Strong season for the Stags | PHOTOSPORT

Northern Districts is meanwhile level-pegging with Canterbury, and the Otago Volts could join them today on a tight table today if the southerners beat the Firebirds in their Wednesday fixture.

An overcast day with the possibility of showers is expected in Christchurch tomorrow where both teams will be hopeful of getting a full match as the business end of the campaign kicks in, the match live-streamed for free here at www.cdcricket.co.nz

Josh Clarkson has been in cracking white-ball form | PHOTOSPORT

Having already made his Dream11 Super Smash debut for the team this summer, leg-spinning allrounder BRETT JOHNSON is again in the frame for a Stags List A one-day debut, having previously repped the Firebirds in two matches at this level.

With DOUG BRACEWELL called into the BLACKCAPS' ODI squad in Pakistan yesterday, young allrounder WILL CLARK meanwhile stands to add to his first Ford Trophy cap in the previous fixture after chipping in with a fast unbeaten 29 not out off 19 balls on debut in December, in an 18-run DLS win over the Firebird in Napier.

Arriving back in New Zealand today, BLACKCAPS Test squad members AJAZ PATEL and WILL YOUNG are unavailable as they recover from the Pakistan trip.

PHOTOSPORT

DANE CLEAVER (above) heads into the match as the top batsman nationally in the competition with 225 from six innings at a 45.00 average, including an unbeaten 99* in the Stags' previous away fixture in Dunedin at the start of the campaign.

A tough chance gets away | PHOTOSPORT

With the country's top wicket-taker SETH RANCE (13 wickets) still sidelined by shoulder trouble, fellow Stags paceman BRETT RANDELL has a chance to catch up with nine victims so far at a tidy 16.11 from five starts.

Brett Randell | PHOTOSPORT

Canterbury will be without allrounder Henry Shipley who is on his maiden BLACKCAPS assignment in Pakistan but has named a strong squad (see below) with the usual suspects.

The toss is scheduled for 10.30am.

The Stags' Dream11 Super Smash squad for this Saturday's T20 doubleheader against the Auckland Hearts and Aces in Auckland will be named on Friday.

ROUND SEVEN • 2022/23

CENTRAL STAGS v CANTERBURY

Hagley Oval, Christchurch

11am • Wednesday 11 January 2023

FREE LIVESTREAM

SQUAD

TOM Bruce — captain, Taranaki

JACK Boyle — Hawke’s Bay

WILL Clark — Hawke’s Bay

JOSH Clarkson — Nelson

DANE Cleaver — wicketkeeper, Manawatu

LIAM Dudding — Hawke’s Bay

JAYDEN Lennox — Hawke’s Bay

BRETT Johnson — Hawke’s Bay — uncapped

BRETT Randell

BRAD Schmulian — Hawke’s Bay

BEN Smith — Whanganui

RAY Toole — Manawatu

Head Coach: ROB Walter

GET TICKETS TODAY & SAVE!

 

 

CANTERBURY

 

Cole McConchie - captain

Chad Bowes

Leo Carter

Blake Coburn

Cam Fletcher - wicketkeeper

Zak Foulkes

Mitch Hay

Ken McClure

Angus McKenzie

Ed Nuttall

Will O'Rourke

Fraser Sheat

 

 

Contracted Stags players unavailable for selection:

 

JOEY Field — Hawke's Bay — shoulder rehab

SETH Rance — shoulder injury

DOUG Bracewell — Hawke's Bay — BLACKCAPS ODIs in Pakistan

BLAIR Tickner — Hawke's Bay — BLACKCAPS ODIs in Pakistan

AJAZ Patel — Hawke's Bay — BLACKCAPS

WILL Young — Taranaki — BLACKCAPS

 

Follow our campaign with hashtags:

#fordtrophy #lovethestags 

SEE FULL SEASON SCHEDULE

 

 

Article added: Tuesday 10 January 2023