No stranger to a throwdown in the nets, GREG HAY is about to find himself on the other end of the slinger as CD Cricket welcomes the Central Stags and Nelson legend into a coaching role for the first time.

Hay retired from his playing career at the end of last season as the Stags’ all-time most successful Plunket Shield captain, signing off with a match-winning century in his swansong.

Now he’s set to lend his considerable batting acumen to the Central Hinds as Assistant Coach for the 2024/25 Dream11 Super Smash.
 

The new role and campaign begins on New Year’s Eve, away in Alexandra, coincidentally where he hit his first-class career best 226, then hits Hay’s home town of Nelson for two T20 doubleheaders with the Stags on 4 and 6 January at Saxton Oval.

The CD icon can’t wait.

“It’s a great time of year to be in Nelson and playing cricket, the town will be buzzing,” Hay says.

“I haven’t been back for a while, so it’s going to be good to be back. I’m looking forward to it.

“And it’s great to see three Nelson players contracted in the Hinds squad in Claudia Green and the Gaging twins, I hope to see some good home crowd support for them.”

Hay’s role will have a particular focus on batting as he supports Head Coach Deepak Joon — whom he used to play against, back in the day.

Deepak Joon

“Obviously we also know each other from him having been around CD for the last couple of years, and I’m looking forward to working with him for the first time.

“The Hinds have made a lot of progress over the last few years under Jamie Watkins, Jake Oram and now Deepak.

“They came up agonising short last year [losing the 2023/24 Dream11 Super Smash Final to Wellington Blaze by one run] and it will be nice to be part of hopefully getting them across the line this season.”

Since retiring at the end of last season, Hay has spent a peripatetic year travelling the world and New Zealand, generally on the hunt for a good surf break.

He also spent some time helping out his former Stags and Nelson teammate Marty Kain in San Diego, where Kain has established a successful cricket coaching business.

“It was nothing formal, but you enjoy any opportunity like that to help other people.

“I’m always up for helping out CD Cricket as well, so this seemed like a good opportunity to get involved for a period.

“It will be interesting working with the Hinds and the women’s game for the first time, and it will be fun, as well.

"Something different to what I am used to."

PHOTOSPORT

While Hay is best known for his red-ball prowess, he’s also got skin in the T20 format.

Seven years after he had previously played a T20 for them, in the 2021/22 season he answered an SOS from the injury-hit Stags.

He ended up smacking 234 runs at an impressive 33.42 average, including three half-centuries and a T20 career-best 76 in that campaign.

The 40-year-old's overall career for the Stags brought more than 8,000 runs across the three formats. Now he’s excited to be back involved in the game and Major Association closest to his heart.

“[CD Cricket Manager, High Performance] Dave Meiring rang me up and asked if I’d be interested, so here I am.

"Ready to go back on tour!”

Hay will link up with the team in the Rodney Green Foundation nets this weekend, both Central teams hitting their final stages of preparation before heading down to Central Otago for Central's first round against the Otago Sparks.

CLAUDIA GREEN is one of three contracted Hinds from Nelson

The campaign will also take them to Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton, after hopefully winning starts in Alexandra and Nelson.

Meiring said keeping Hay involved with CD Cricket was a no-brainer.

“Greg brings an incredible technical and tactical knowledge of batting.

"He has a wealth of experience that very few players of this era can match; and is the kind of person who never tires of discussing different approaches to playing the game.

“We’re stoked to have a person of his experience and attributes keen to continue contributing to Central Districts Cricket.

“It’s been exciting to be in a position to welcome him into a new role with us for the Dream11 Super Smash this season.”

CENTRAL HINDS AND STAGS

2024/25 Dream11 Super Smash

31 Dec NYE away v Otago Sparks/Volts, Molyneux Park, Alexandra - live on TVNZ+

4 Jan home v Wellington Blaze/Firebirds, Saxton Oval, Nelson

6 Jan home v Northern Brave, Saxton Oval, Nelson

9 Jan away v Wellington Blaze/Firebirds, Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington - live on TVNZ+

12 Jan home v Otago Sparks/Volts, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North

15 Jan home v Auckland Hearts / Aces, McLean Park, Napier (relocated Auckland fixture)

17 Jan home v Canterbury Magicians / Kings, McLean Park, Napier, Stags under lights

21 Jan away v Northern Brave, Seddon Park, Hamilton, Stags under lights

26 Jan away v Canterbury Magicians / Kings, Hagley Oval, Christchurch - live on TVNZ+

29 Jan home v Auckland Hearts / Aces, McLean Park, Napier, Stags under lights

If qualified...

1 Feb Elimination Finals (2v3): Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

2 Feb Grand Finals: Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington

Buy home match tickets online and beat game-day prices

www.cdcricket.co.nz 

Article added: Saturday 28 December 2024