Dream11 Super Smash champions the Central Stags could ink in a spot in the national one-day Ford Trophy finals tomorrow, destiny in their own hands over this week's last two regular season rounds ahead of the Dunedin title deciders.

Tomorrow sees the roaring Stags play their last match in Napier in any format this season, hoping to sign off at McLean Park with the bonus-point win that would automatically secure them a top three berth in the playoffs at the end of the month.

Alternatively, a regular four-point win over the Otago Volts would also do the job if the Wellington Firebirds meanwhile lose their match against the Auckland Aces.

The Aces are the only side to have qualified in the top three for the finals so far, but whether that is in the Elimination (2v3 playoff) or Grand Final as top qualifier is still up in the air, with Canterbury and the Central Stags the two other leading contenders.

After brushing aside Canterbury with a bonus-point seven-wicket win on Friday at McLean, the Stags have named an unchanged squad for tomorrow’s showdown with the Volts - who have been unlucky to find themselves in fifth spot on the ladder after a string of high-scoring thrillers.

The Central squad includes local allrounder Toby Findlay who made his List A one-day debut for the Stags in the win against Canterbury, after having been called up as a late replacement for injured strikeman Blair Tickner who remains unavailable.

Twenty-one-year-old Findlay impressed with his pace deliveries during his maiden season of Dream11 Super Smash last month, and has now debuted in all three formats for the team.

Gates open at 10am tomorrow for a 10.30am start with the action moving to Central’s opposite coast, in New Plymouth, on Sunday for the final regular season round against the Wellington Firebirds.

Both matches are free admission and live-streamed at www.cdcricket.co.nz 

CENTRAL STAGS 2024/25 STANDINGS

Dream11 Super Smash men’s T20 — Champions (completed)

The Ford Trophy — Third (two rounds remaining pre-Finals)

Plunket Shield — Third (four rounds remaining)

CENTRAL HINDS 2024/25 STANDINGS

Dream11 Super Smash women’s T20 — Sixth (completed)

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield — Second (two rounds remaining pre-Finals)

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2024/25 | ROUND NINE

Central Stags v Otago Volts

10.30am Tuesday 18 February 2025

FREE ADMISSION

McLean Park • Napier

JAYDEN Lennox - captain, Hawke's Bay

JACK Boyle - Hawke's Bay

TOM Bruce - Taranaki

WILL Clark - Hawke's Bay

JOSH Clarkson - Nelson

DANE Cleaver - wicketkeeper, Manawatū

TOBY FINDLAY - Hawke's Bay

CURTIS Heaphy - Manawatū

BRETT Randell - Nelson

ANGUS Schaw - Hawke's Bay

BRAD Schmulian - Hawke's Bay

RAY Toole - Manawatū

Head Coach: GLENN Pocknall

Assistant Coach: ALDIN Smith

Livescores and FREE livestream at

www.cdcricket.co.nz

CENTRAL STAGS INSTAGRAM

 

Contracted Stags unavailable for selection

 

Will Young (BLACKCAPS Champions Trophy)

Ajaz Patel (recovery from injury - knee)

Mason Hughes, Joey Field, Blair Tickner (injury)

 

Coming soon - details here

 

Article added: Monday 17 February 2025