The Central Stags have named uncapped 21-year-old Hawke's Bay batter Sam Cassidy in a squad of 13 for tomorrow’s national Ford Trophy Elimination Final against the Wellington Firebirds at the Cello Basin Reserve.

Missing strike bowler Blair Tickner again to an ankle injury, the Stags head in as the top team tomorrow for the 2v3 knockout, the winner to proceed to Sunday’s Grand Final against defending champion Canterbury at the same ground.

The Stags are no strangers to winning big games at the venue: this is where they nailed last season’s Super Smash Grand Final against the Canterbury Kings, and they’ve already beaten the Firebirds here in The Ford Trophy earlier this month, in the regular season.

Opening batter Curtis Heaphy is coming off his second Ford Trophy century, 117 not out, after having carried his bat in Tuesday’s 22-run round 10 win over Canterbury in Nelson and, along with Will Clark, was in the middle as the Stags brought home last season’s Super Smash crown. 

“It’s nice to be back,” says Heaphy, literally and metaphorically after overcoming a lean patch personally.

“Personally, I probably haven't been contributing as much as I'd like to so it was nice to spend some time out in the middle at Saxton Oval and hopefully I do it again tomorrow. 

“I think it just clicked. Some days it does click and other days it doesn't, but I don't think I tried to change too much. It just clicked that day, so it was nice timing.

“We’ve been building some good momentum with an awesome second half of The Ford Trophy competition, so hopefully we can bring that into these last couple of games.

“Venue-wise, I’ve got some awesome memories of last year in the Super Smash Final, so hopefully I can make a few more here on Sunday. 

“Obviously we've got a game to win tomorrow first, but it would be awesome to get over the line tomorrow against the Firebirds and then face the Cantabs again in another big final here at the Basin.

Heaphy was one half of an impressive T20 partnership with uncapped Cassidy in Napier earlier this season, the young guns blasting a 94-run stand off 62 balls against eventual champion the Brave.

Hard-hitting Sam Cassidy | PHOTOSPORT

“It’s awesome to have ‘Cass’ back in the squad,” said Heaphy. “Obviously another young guy which is nice to have around and I really enjoy his company.”

Allrounder Clark also comes back into the squad and Heaphy says although Tickner is “a massive loss”, the squad has coped well without Tickner, Tom Bruce and injured Ajaz Patel at various stages of the campaign.

“It would have been awesome to have Ticks here, but in saying that, obviously we've got Tobes [Toby Findlay] who can take wickets as well and Brett Randell and Ray Toole in good form so whoever gets a crack, it will be awesome to see them have a go and we back anyone to come in and do the job.”

Livescoring and a free, multi-camera stream of tomorrow’s Elimination Final will be available at www.cdcricket.co.nz from 10.30am, with captain Jayden Lennox set to toss the coin at 10am.

Heaphy said the Stags will be out to enjoy themselves.

“I think when we're playing with a smile on our face and enjoying it, we play better cricket all round.”

2025/26

2v3 Elimination Final

Central Stags (Q2) v Wellington Firebirds (Q3)

10.30am | Friday, 20 February 2026

Cello Basin Reserve

 

JAYDEN Lennox - captain, Hawke's Bay

SAM Cassidy - Hawke’s Bay

WILL Clark - Hawke’s Bay

JOSH Clarkson - Nelson

DANE Cleaver - wicketkeeper, Manawatū

TOBY Findlay - Hawke’s Bay

DEAN Foxcroft - Hawke’s Bay

CURTIS Heaphy - Manawatū

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 

PHOTOSPORT

FREE LIVESTREAM

Livescores www.cdcricket.co.nz