The unbeaten Central Stags have been rocket-boosted by the return of three BLACKCAPS for the Round Four Plunket Shield clash with the Otago Volts in Dunedin this week.

Ross Taylor, Tom Bruce and Adam Milne all join the Stags for what shapes as a strong first-class encounter at University of Otago Oval, while Taranaki’s Ryan Watson also comes into the twelve with the prospect of making his first-class debut in the match if selected in the eleven.

The Stags having picked up maximum points from their Round Three innings victory over defending champions Canterbury, the selectors faced an enviable dilemma as to whom to leave out of this week’s 12, with well performed Brad Schmulian making way for the return of the BLACKCAPS despite a current first-class season batting average of 62.60.

“While naturally a disappointment for Bradley, it’s a great illustration that these are exciting times for the Stags,” noted Central Stags Head Coach Heinrich Malan. 

“To be able to leave out someone who got a double century in the first round and is performing well means that you have a very strong roster and you are developing a deep pool of players. After the issues we faced last summer with injuries, it’s a situatiuon we are relishing and all our players are together as one for the cause.”

Malan said the inclusion of former New Zealand Under-19s rep Watson reflected recent strong performances for both Taranaki in the Furlong Cup on the weekend and in preseason inter-squad matches. 

Twenty-three-year-old right-arm medium pacer Watson, who has yet to represent the Stags in any format, was also selected in the Central Stags Plunket Shield squad at the end of last season, carrying the drinks as 12th man. 

The Stags will be without leading seamer Seth Rance in this round, Rance undergoing precautionary scans on his shins after the Hagley Oval victory in which the recent BLACKCAP took his third first-class five-wicket bag. 

Allrounder Bevan Small meanwhile steps aside with a bruised heel while Doug Bracewell’s heavy workload is being carefully managed following his comeback from major knee surgery in the off-season.

The Central Stags are second on the Plunket Shield points ladder as one of only two unbeaten teams this season.

Central Stags for Round Four Plunket Shield

Dunedin, Wednesday 15 November to Saturday 18 November

Will Young (captain)

Tom Bruce

Dane Cleaver (wicketkeeper)

Greg Hay

Adam Milne

Jesse Ryder

Ross Taylor

Blair Tickner

Ajaz Patel

Navin Patel

Ryan Watson

George Worker

For media enquiries please contact Heinrich Malan - Stags Head Coach: 021 853 068

Ball one is scheduled for 10.30am, Wednesday 15 November.

Live-scoring is available at nzc.nz

Entry to all #PlunketShield cricket is free.