JACK HARRIS JOINS THE STAGS

Another Central Stags first-class debut this season is on the cards with the Stags selectors calling up uncapped Manawatū and Central Districts A paceman JACK HARRIS for the fourth round of the Plunket Shield, beginning tomorrow in Mount Maunganui.

Both the new right-armer and the team's most recent cap, contracted paceman TYLER ANNAND, come into the twelve selected for the top-of-the-table clash with Northern Districts at Bay Oval.

JOSH CLARKSON (hamstring injury) and BLAIR TICKNER (unavailable due to family commitments) meanwhile drop out of the squad that comfortably defeated defending champion the Wellington Firebirds by nine wickets in the previous round.

JOSH CLARKSON (right) batted on one leg in Napier

after ia hamstring njury early in match | GTOOLE

That McLean Park outright was worth a valuable 18 points to the team, propelling them back up the ladder as the only one of the six sides to snare an outright victory from the third round.

Tomorrow's fourth round away fixture will be the final red-ball match this side of Christmas, with the team's Dream11 Super Smash campaign beginning in just three weeks' time.

The match also represents the midway point of the first-class championship, and captain TOM BRUCE says the team is champing at the bit for the opportunity to carry on the momentum, against a good side in Northern Districts.

"They're obviously on top at the moment, and it's ideal the way it's worked out - having this opportunity in front of us to control our own destiny, and look to take a lead into the back half of the season," said Bruce.

"In saying that, we know they are always a tough side to beat at Bay Oval and we're preparing for another good battle, after some very hard-fought and close contests at this particular ground over recent seasons."

The match will be a home game of sorts for pace attack leader BRETT RANDELL who is based in the region with his family, while both RAY TOOLE and BRAD SCHMULIAN return to the ground at which they debuted - Schmulian having scored a national record double century in his debut game in 2017.

RAY TOOLE bowls at last season's Bay Oval thriller | MBUTCHER

For 24-year-old, Palmerston North-born seamer JACK HARRIS, it's his first call-up to the Stags in any format, having earned his selection on the back of regular performances for Central Districts A and Manawatū.

"Jack has put together a consistent body of work in the A system for a few years, and we're excited to see how that translates to first-class level," said CDCA High Performance Manager, DAVE MEIRING.

“He impressed us throughout the preseason with his ability to bowl at decent speed over multiple spells, and has put in a lot of work to elevate his skills and become more consistent in his performance.

"We're confident he deserves his chance to take the next step.”

The playing XI will be confirmed following the toss at 10am tomorrow, with a free livestream and live-scoring, as well as ringside coverage on Central Stags Instagram, from 10.30am.