Seth Rance and Tom Bruce are poised to return for competition leaders the Central Stags for tomorrow’s Ford Trophy one-day clash at Wellington’s Basin Reserve.

The BLACKCAPS pair replaces allrounder Christian Leopard and pace bowler Ryan McCone in a strong squad that has won five of their six matches this season — the last five victories consecutive.

With a five-point buffer over the Auckland Aces, that form has seen the Stags become the first team to qualify for the Ford Trophy Semi-Finals, secured with a whole two rounds yet to play — tomorrow’s Round Seven against the Firebirds to be followed by Sunday’s much anticipated return to Napier’s McLean Park for the last home regular round against Northern Districts.

The job for a team that has claimed the national one-day title twice in the last three seasons is far from over, however, with Will Young’s men now looking to lock in the number one position on the table in order to secure the advantageous 1v2 home Semi-Final.

The winner of the 1v2 Semi-Final earns the right to host the Grand Final while the loser gains a second life by proceeding to the Elimination Final where they play the winner of the 3v4 Semi-Final for the right to join the top qualifier in the televised Grand Final.

BLACKCAPS allrounder Ben Wheeler is unavailable for Round Seven while Will Young is also on course to celebrate his 50th List A match in Napier on the weekend.

Fast bowler Adam Milne heads to the Basin Reserve requiring just one more victim to reach 100 List A career wickets.

Central Stags Ford Trophy 2017/18 results

• Lost to Auckland Aces by 5 wickets
• Beat ND by 85 runs
• Beat Otago Volts by 3 wickets
• Beat Auckland Aces by 123 runs
• Beat Canterbury by 2 wickets
• Beat Otago Volts by 6 wickets

Central Stags 12 to play Wellington Firebirds: Will Young (c), George Worker, Ben Smith, Jesse Ryder, Tom Bruce, Dane Cleaver (w), Josh Clarkson, Bevan Small, Adam Milne, Ajaz Patel, Seth Rance, Blair Tickner