STAGS CAPTAIN LOOKING FORWARD TO GLOBAL SUPER LEAGUE
Central Stags captain TOM BRUCE says the invitation to July's ExxonMobil Global Super League in Guyana will shape as a career highlight for many of his Stags players.
"It's a really exciting opportunity, and we're pretty fortunate that this has come along in the year that we have won the Dream11 Super Smash for the first time in five or six years," said Bruce.
He says the midwinter timing of the rare T20 opportunity abroad won't be a problem for his squad.
"A lot of the guys are over in the UK at the moment, and obviously three are in Bangladesh with New Zealand A so they will all have been playing a fair bit of cricket, leading into this tournament in July.
"The few of us who are back here in New Zealand for the winter will need to get some training in locally, but I know all of the guys are excited, so we won't be leaving any stone unturned in our preparation or in trying to put our best foot forward and win the thing."
Josh Clarkson | MBUTCHER
Bruce is one of many in the Stags' core squad who have never been to Guyana or the Caribbean before, although JOSH CLARKSON represented the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the 2024 CPL (Caribbean Premier League, in which the GSL's Guyana Amazon Warriors also take part) leading into the recent 2024/25 season.
The Stags' captain has already spoken to a few players who have played in Guyana to start the scouting and reconnaissance process.
"They said to expect slow and turning wickets, spinning conditions so that is what we will be preparing for, come June when we start building up in earnest.
"The guys here will be getting into the swing of things and hitting a fair few balls - and with it being T20, that makes training quite fun.
"We're fortunate that we now have our world-class training facilities here in Hawke's Bay at our CD training base at Mitre10 Sport Park as well, so we'll be able to prepare specifically for the different conditions in our grass marquees in the Rodney Green Foundation Turf Training Facility."
The Stags will become not only the first New Zealand side to compete at the GSL, but the first Domestic team from anywhere on the planet - as opposed to an independently operated T20 franchise.
"A lot of those guys [franchise players for hire] will already be used to coming into a tournament or team for just 10 days and then taking off again for somewhere else, so we'll be up against it a little there in terms of preparation.
"But as a Domestic team, we'll talk about this tournament for years to come, and for a lot of guys it will be a highlight in their career."
Bruce said he was really pleased with his own form in the latest New Zealand season, which netted him both the Stags' and New Zealand Cricket's award for men's Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year.
Jayden Lennox may enjoy Guyana's traditionally slow decks | MBUTCHER
"Aside from the one knock I had [his Stags record 345 v Auckland], my four-day form wasn't really that flash last season, whereas my red-ball game had been really strong in the last few years.
"So it was really pleasing that I did have a good season in the white-ball formats which was kind of the reverse situation, as I felt my white-ball hadn't been going that well in the previous few seasons.
"It was really nice to turn that around, and get back to doing what I do best which is being free at the crease, and just trying to whack the ball and give it my all for the team."
Bruce says that ideally, he tries not to worry too much about the 'end result' when he hits the ball, but it can be difficult when you layer on the extra mental weight of captaincy.
"Thankfully, it just came off a fair bit last summer which made for a really enjoyable season."
Bruce now has almost 3,300 runs in his professional T20 career, including 2,497 runs from 92 Stags T20 appearances at a 33.29 average - including 17 half tons and a best of 93 not out.
He has also played T20 cricket for the Chattogram Challangers in the Bangladesh Cricket League (BPL) and for the Sussex Sharks and Lancashire in the United Kingdom's Vitality Blast.
The 2024/25 season marked 10 years for the classy right-hander in the Stags' Ford Trophy and Super Smash teams, and next season he will chalk up his 10th season in the Plunket Shield arena as well.
What continues to motivate the 33-year-old who had a brief trot for the BLACKCAPS a few years ago, and then captained New Zealand A, without getting a further call-up?
"You just want to be the best you can be, and contribute your best for the team," said Bruce.
"Winning is a pretty addictive feeling. Getting back in the changing room with the boys after you've had a good win - it's a special feeling. It's the rewards for all the hard work that you do put in.
"I think also, having started a little later than many at this level when I was 23, there's still a couple of years left in the legs.
"As long as I'm fit and healthy, and still enjoying my cricket and performing, then I don't see retirement on the cards in the next two or three years."
ABOUT THE GSL
• The Global Super League is an annual T20 cricket tournament hosted in Guyana, bringing together teams from top cricketing nations
• The 2025 tournament will feature five teams competing in 11 thrilling matches, all held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence from 10 to 18 July 2025
• With a focus on delivering high quality cricket and unforgettable fan experiences, the GSL aims to promote the sport while enhancing Guyana’s reputation on the global stage
• So far, defending champion the Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh), the Hobart Hurricanes (Australia), Guyana Amazon Warriors and Central Stags have been confirmed as participants, with one team still to be announced
• The five contestants will be vying for the prestigious GSL trophy and a share of a US $1 million prize pool
• Last year's inaugural tournament was broadcast in New Zealand on SKY Sport as well as livestreamed free to watch on YouTube.
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