Leaving with the best wishes of all at Central Districts Cricket, pace bowler LIAM DUDDING has made himself available to represent Wellington in the 2024/25 season, Cricket Wellington announced today. 

The 30-year-old from Hawke’s Bay has played for the Central Stags 20 times across all three formats since his March 2016 Plunket Shield debut, and was a contracted Stags player for the past two seasons.

He leaves CD on a high note, having snared a first-class career-best haul of 5/32 in his final innings — amid match figures of 8/124, in the innings victory over Otago in Napier that stamped a final exclamation mark on last season.

Signing off with a career-best five-for, in an innings victory | MButcher

Dudding also played a key support role with the ball in the previous summer, helping the Stags to lift the Plunket Shield title in a dramatic final match in Nelson.

He said he was grateful for his time at CD.

“I’ll miss playing for the Stags. CD’s always going to be home for me, and all the boys and management have been very understanding about the opportunity this presents for me,” said Dudding.

“They have all wished me well, and playing against the Stags, if I get that opportunity, will certainly be weird.

Dudding won The Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield with the Stags | MButcher

 

"But overall, I hope this will prove a good move for me to continue improving, and getting opportunities as a bowler.”

Dudding will have a chance in the capital to learn from one of New Zealand’s best pace bowling gurus, former BLACKCAPS bowling coach Shane Jurgensen who took over as Head Coach of the Wellington Firebirds last season.

The tall right-armer will likely also finally have a chance to bowl on the Cello Basin Reserve — the deck of dreams for many pacemen over the decades. 

With the Stags, Dudding had been looking forward to playing there for the first time in the 2015/16 Plunket Shield season.

But the Kaikoura Earthquake struck the day before the match was set to begin, and that game was called off. 

He hasn’t had the chance since.

MButcher

DAVE MEIRING, CD’s High Performance Manager, confirmed that Dudding was departing with CD’s blessing and best wishes. 

“We’re completely supportive of his decision to make the move to take up an exciting opportunity for him, and we’re looking forward to watching him continue to progress as a cricketer,” said Meiring.

A special day at Saxton | PHOTOSPORT

“He proved at the back end of last season that he’s very capable of being a front-line seam bowler, and he has the chance to now develop further in that space at Wellington.

“We know he’s been very proud to represent the Stags, and we certainly would not rule out welcoming 'Dudds' back to CD in future seasons.”

The Stags bowl on, minus Dudding and Greg Hay | MButcher

 

Dudding has also been a key member of the Hawke’s Bay Hawke Cup pace attack over recent seasons. 

Unbeaten last season in the Hawke Cup, Hawke’s Bay is the current holder of the coveted provicial challenge silverware, and will host their first defence of the new season in January 2025.

In other Domestic cricket transfer news ahead of this Thursday’s first round of men’s Domestic contract announcements, former Auckland Aces captain Robbie O’Donnell has crossed the border to Northern Districts, and Canterbury batting stalwart Leo Carter has made the move south to Otago.

THANK YOU, LIAM DUDDING

CENTRAL STAG

CAP 289

Plunket Shield first-class record

Debut: 15-18 March 2016 v ND at Seddon Park

Last game: 24-27 March 2024 v Otago at McLean Park

Matches: 11

Wickets: 45

Bowling Average: 24.17

Best: 5/32

Five-wicket bags: 2

High Score: 16

Titles: 1 (2022/23)

List A Ford Trophy record

Debut: 25 Jan 2017 v Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Last game: 17 Jan 2023 v ND at Seddon Park

Matches: 8

Wickets: 6

Bowling Average: 59.83

Best: 3/67

High Score: 19 not out

Titles: 1 (2022/23)

Dream11 Super Smash record

Debut: 5 Jan 2023 v Auckland Aces at Pukekura Park

Last game: 5 Jan 2023 v Auckland Aces at Pukekura Park

Matches: 1

Wickets: 1

Bowling Average: 24.00

Best: 1/24

Article added: Wednesday 17 July 2024