One of the most successful players in Central Stags history is coming back to coach his beloved team.

GREG HAY has been appointed as the Stags' interim Head to guide the team through their Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy campaigns this season, with the first match coming up this Saturday, against Wellington at New Plymouth’s Pukekura Park.

The 41-year-old replaces Glenn Pocknall who stepped down earlier this month, while UK-based Stags alumnus Ben F. Smith will continue to coach the team in the Super Smash T20s as usual.

Hay retired from his own playing career in March last year, and believes his knowledge of the team and the domestic landscape will help him hit the ground running — as much as possible.

“I see it as answering an SOS from a team and organisation that is very close to my heart,” he said.

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“CD needed someone to help them through the season, and I thought, well why not? I was probably going to spend the next two months surfing before coming back to help the Central Hinds in the Super Smash [as their T20 Assistant Coach, a role he began last summer under Deepak Joon]. 

“I had my first full squad training with the boys on Tuesday in Napier and now we’re three days out from the start of the season and we’re all looking forward to getting stuck in.”

The season begins with five free admission Ford Trophy rounds, followed by the start of the first-class Plunket Shield — both national competitions then pause for the Super Smash window before resuming at the back end of summer.

When Hay retired from his own playing career, he did so as the Stags’ most successful first-class captain — he’s also one of just two men (alongside Mathew Sinclair to have played more than 100 first-class matches for the team and won the Plunket Shield twice as skipper.

He retired with a batting average above 40 in both The Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield, and says while it “feels a bit strange at the moment” being around former teammates in his new role as the coach, there are also some advantages in the circumstances.

“It was such a short time ago that I was a teammate, so yes, it is going to be interesting to find how that new dynamic works,” he says, “but given that it’s such a short period to our first game, I do see an advantage in me already having formed relationships with everyone and knowing what they are about.

“That probably helps compared to if someone came in who didn't know anyone at all, and likewise the players know how I operate. 

“When I was the four-day captain, I was heavily involved in the leadership group and working with the coach so I’ve got some useful experience in that way, but there’s obvisously a lot more to it when you are in the Head Coach role, and I’ll learn along the way.

“The big thing is there shouldn't be too much disruption with me coming in — and I certainly don't intend to make any sudden changes or anything to how things operate. 

“The Stags have a core of experienced, self-sufficient players who have been around a long time, and know how to prepare; and an established leadership group and I’m there to support them. 

“I think they're glad to have some clarity for the season and someone in the role to drive things forward,  and they've got things right on track already.”

Experienced Central Districts staff coach Aldin Smith will support Hay as the Stags Assistant Coach across the two campaigns, with the Stags looking to make The Ford Trophy national finals again in February (the team finished third last season) and completing the Plunket Shield in late March, in Central Districts 75th jubilee summer. 

The team will meanwhile head into their Super Smash season (their first T20 is on 27 December in Palmerston North) as the defending national champions.

Central Districts Cricket chief executive Lance Hamilton said it was a pleasure to see Hay back in the Stags’ environment

“Greg brings a suite of ready-made attributes to the Head Coach role, including his character, his knowledge of the players and their respect for him, his strategical nous, and a bone-deep commitment to the green of Central Districts,” said Hamilton.

“With Glenn Pocknall resigning during the build-up to the season, we were obviously in a challenging position to replace Glenn’s role in a short time-frame, and it’s been extremely helpful to have Greg available to step in. 

“We all understand that this is a new fit for everybody, and that Greg will be learning on the job to some extent — but that is something we are all supportive of, and his experience as the Hinds T20 Assistant Coach has helped to give him some insight into the job already, albeit from an assistant role.”

The first ball of the season is scheduled for 10.30am this Saturday, with livescoring and a free livestream at www.cdcricket.co.nz

Hay’s first squad will be named on Friday morning. 

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Article added: Wednesday 22 October 2025