With wins already against the Auckland Aces, Otago Volts and Wellington Firebirds already this season, the CENTRAL STAGS are looking forward to a rematch with the latter at the Cello Basin Reserve tomorrow.

The round six match of The Ford Trophy signals the start of the back half of the national men's one-day competition in which the Stags have enjoyed plenty if success over the years.

Having narrowly missed out on this season's Super Smash finals - the team ended up in fourth place after an unsettled campaign, it's also a chance to get back on the horse in a format that tests tactics and perserverance.

Close but no trophy this year in the Super Smash | PHOTOSPORT

Regular one-day captain, left-arm spinner JAYDEN LENNOX returns to the helm, now with two BLACKCAPS ODI appearances after his maiden selection and impressive performances on New Zealand's successful tour of India last month - the first time New Zealand had defeated India in a one-day series on Indian soil.

The Stags continue to have the luxury of two class left-arm spinners at their disposal, but are missing a couple of big names in TOM BRUCE who is representing Scotland this month at his first ICC T20 World Cup - and BLAIR TICKNER who is unavailable for this round after an ankle injury at the end of the Super Smash campaign.

BRETT RANDELL | PHOTOSPORT

But with BRETT RANDELL having returned from his broken collarbone adventure at the start of the Super Smash, the Stags' Ford Trophy squad now has another weapon back in the mix, as Head Coach GREG HAY and captain Lennox plot and plan the path to the national Finals this month.

Those Finals will be at the same ground at which the team plays tomorrow, the Cello Basin Reserve.

In third spot, the Stags have a chance to go top of the table in this round in the midtable clash, that outcome depending not only on their own result, but that of the two teams ahead of them - the Aces and Canterbury who play each other in Auckland.

The Otago Volts and Northern Districts will both meanwhile urgently be seeking points in Dunedin.

Canterbury has a four-point lead over the Aces and Stags, the Aces and Central level on 14 points and the Aucklanders ranked ahead only on the third separator, net run rate.

A maximum of five points is at stake per match, if teams can win with a bonus point.

The Firebirds have BLACKCAPS allrounder Nathan Smith back from injury and have named uncapped Oscar Jackson in their squad.

The action returns at 10.30am, with a FREE livestream at www.cdcricket.co.nz and FREE admission at the Basin.

Following tomorrow's away match, the Stags are back in Napier this Saturday with a big home match at McLean Park against the Aces.

JOSH CLARKSON | PHOTOSPORT

Two significant milestones loom.

Leading allrounder JOSH CLARKSON will be in the frame to play his 100th List A match in that game, at the same venue where he scored an unbeaten century to win the Grand Final two years ago.

DANE CLEAVER will also be set to play his 100th List A match in Napier, both players' tallies including their appearances for New Zealand.

DANE CLEAVER | PHOTOSPORT

2025/26 | ROUND SIX

Central Stags v Wellington Firebirds

10.30am | Wednesday 4 February 2026

Cello Basin Reserve • Wellington

FREE LIVESTREAM

Livescores www.cdcricket.co.nz

See more: Central Stags Instagram 

JAYDEN Lennox - captain, Hawke's Bay

JOSH Clarkson - Nelson

DANE Cleaver - wicketkeeper, Manawatū

JOEY Field - Hawke's Bay

DEAN Foxcroft - Hawke’s Bay

CURTIS Heaphy - Manawatū

AJAZ Patel - Hawke's Bay

BRETT Randell - Nelson

ANGUS Schaw - Hawke's Bay

BRAD Schmulian - Hawke's Bay

RAY Toole - Manawatū  

WILL Young - Taranaki

Head Coach: GREG Hay

Assistant Coach: ALDIN Smith 

Contracted players unavailable for selection

Injury: Blair Tickner

Unavailable: Tyler Annand

Unavailable (Casual playing contract): Tom Bruce (Scotland)

Article added: Tuesday 3 February 2026