The Central Stags have won their first T20 match outside New Zealand, beating Australia’s Big Bash champion the Hobart Hurricanes in Guyana by 16 runs today.

The Stags had been in cruise control for the most of the match, but had to survive a dangerous late charge from Afghan star Mohammad Nabi who blasted 43 off 35 balls to give the Hurricanes an outside chance in a nerve-wracking finish.

The Hurricanes needed 19 runs off the last six balls, but Nabi fell at the start of the final over — thanks to a sharp-eyed Blair Tickner.

Tickner realised that Nabi had unluckily smacked the first ball of the clutch over into his own boot, and appealed after he collected the simple rebound. 

Tickner (2/34) then struck again two balls later to effectively seal the deal.

GSLT20 via Getty Images

On a fresh deck under lights, Stags captain Tom Bruce had earlier decided to break with form — batting first for the first time at the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, after winning the toss for a third consecutive time.

Then he showed exactly how it was done, top-scoring with 62 off just 36 balls in a competitive total of 167/4.

The Stags are bottom of the table but that was the highest team total by any team so far at this year’s tournament, while his own ballistics - Bruce’s half century flying off 28 balls - equalled the all-time tournament record for the fastest half century.

The knock was the second highest by anyone so far in this year’s league and recalled Bruce’s commanding Dream11 Super Smash form that saw him lift the national trophy earlier this year, and the Stags were on their way to a special payday.

Bruce had come in after another promising start from BLACKCAP Will Young (24 off 18) had been nipped in the bud during the power play.

Although the Hurricanes took three wickets inside the first eight overs, Bruce and Curtis Heaphy took control of the rest of the innings with a 113-run fourth-wicket stand, conjured up off just 73 deliveries.

Bruce fell to Odean Smith at the death, but the Stags’ West Indies overseas signing Matthew Forde — striking at 190.00 for the tournament — strode in and nervelessly belted 14 runs off just three balls (including two sixes) to top up the Stags’ total. 

Heaphy meanwhile finished unbeaten on 50* off 38 balls, having found the rope six times as he raced to the second T20 fifty of his young career.

Curtis Heaphy | GSLT20 via Getty Images

The 21-year-old from Manawatū was making his maiden GSL appearance, having carried the drinks in the Stags’ previous two matches.

Those games against the Dubai Capitals and Guyana Amazon Warriors were both tough defeats for Central who have consistently bowled and fielded well in the slow Guyanan conditions but, until today, had not fired with the bat.

But Bruce’s decision to bowl second paid off, despite a significant dew factor in the second innings, as the team marked wicketkeeper-batter Dane Cleaver’s 100th T20 appearance for the team in style.

Cleaver becomes the first player to reach the 100-cap milestone for Central Districts, and the victory gives them a lifeline at the tournament — albeit needing other results to fall their way.

The Stags still have one round to come against the defending champion, Bangladesh’s Rangpur Riders, early on Friday morning (NZT), with Tickner and off-spinner Angus Schaw both among the top five wicket-takers at the tournament.

Man of the match Heaphy said, “It was nice to get the nod today, stick to my plan and have it come off.

“It’s a lot slower and lower here compared to pitches back home, and everyone is finding it a bit tough to get started on. 

“But batting with Brucey — he was absolutely class today, so it was nice to be down the other end to watch that, and then for me to be able to get in and accelerate, as well.

“We got a decent score on the board and then managed to defend it.”

He wasn’t giving up hope yet of sneaking into the Final.

“Hopefully that happens, and we do the job against the Riders as well.”

Teams receive US$25,000 (NZ$41,200) for each win in the rapid fire group stage, with a further US$250,000 if they make the final and lose, and US$500,000 (NZ$824,000) if they win the July 19 Final.

SHORT SCORECARD

Central Stags v Hobart Hurricanes

15 July 2025 (local), Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Guyana 

Central Stags 167/4 (20 overs) Will Young 24, Tom Bruce 62, Curtis Heaphy 50 not out; Billy Stanlake 1/20 (3) beat Hobart Hurricanes 151/8 (20 overs) Mohammad Nabi 43, Fabian Allen 36 not out; Ajaz Patel 2/18 (4), Blair Tickner 3/34 (4), Jayden Lennox 1/18 (4), Angus Schaw 1/33 (4), Dean Foxcroft 1/5 (1) by 16 runs

Blair Tickner | GSLT20 via Getty Images

Article added: Wednesday 16 July 2025