Cast your eyes through the first round of 2024/25 Central Stags player contracts announced this morning and there’s a reassuring familiarity.

Along with New Zealand Cricket’s other five Major Associations, Central Districts Cricket can announce between 10 and 15 contracts in the first round, with a second round later this month taking the annual contracted roster to the full complement of 16.

CDCA Manager, High Performance DAVE MEIRING said that Central had opted to ink in 13 players for the first round, in addition to the two players — AJAZ PATEL and WILL YOUNG — who have already been contracted at national level to represent the BLACKCAPS, as well as the Stags, this summer.

Elite spinner Patel was a contracted Stag last season who has this year regained his BLACKCAPS contract, while pace star BLAIR TICKNER missed out on a BLACKCAPS contract and returns to the Stags’ domestically contracted list.

Blair Tickner headlines a strong pace attack | PHOTOSPORT

All players announced today are seasoned, professional Stags who have played their part in the team’s strong record over recent seasons — which included The Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield trophy double in 2023, and a top-three finish in last season’s Plunket Shield.

Missing, of course, are the two hugely accomplished players who announced their retirement at the end of last season: longtime Plunket Shield captain GREG HAY, and the king of swing, SETH RANCE.

Hawke’s Bay paceman LIAM DUDDING, who was contracted to the Stags for the past two seasons, also drops off the list after having transferred to Wellington for 2024/25.

Today’s initial announcement leaves three spots up for grabs in the second round that will be announced on Monday, 29 July.

Will Young plays for the Stags when not on international duty | MBUTCHER

 

Meiring said that while the final spots traditionally present the toughest decisions, it’s not a bad position to be in.

“Central Districts has always looked within our own borders in the first instance for the players who will lead us onto the Domestic battlefields.

"We are comfortable that, in the second contracting round, we will retain a good mix of players ready to take the next step, alongside the chance for us to look more long-term.

“Playing for the Stags is a huge source of pride for all our players, and they embrace what it means to represent the Stags and our eight Districts from the New Zealand heartland when they compete in the long-running Plunket Shield, Ford Trophy and Dream11 Super Smash national competitions.

The Stags have a strong and stable squad | MButcher

"We will continue to strive for a productive pathway system that provides good succession into the Stags year after year.”

Captains and schedules for the 2024/25 season will be announced at a later date, with the team to continue to be steered by GLENN POCKNALL (Plunket Shield and The Ford Trophy) and BEN F. SMITH (Dream11 Super Smash) in the team’s Head Coach roles.

2024/25 Contracts — First Round

[In alphabetical order]

Jack Boyle — Hawke’s Bay, top order batter

Doug Bracewell — Hawke’s Bay, pace allrounder

Tom Bruce — Taranaki, right-hand batter, spin bowler

Will Clark — Hawke’s Bay, allrounder

Josh Clarkson — Nelson, pace allrounder

Dane Cleaver — Manawatū, wicketkeeper-batter

Joey Field — Hawke’s Bay, pace bowler

Curtis Heaphy — Manawatū, top order batter

Jayden Lennox — Hawke’s Bay, left-arm spinner

Brett Randell — pace bowler

Brad Schmulian — Hawke’s Bay, right-hand batter, leg-spin bowler

Blair Tickner — Hawke’s Bay, pace bowler

Ray Toole — Manawatū, left-arm pace bowler

2024/25 BLACKCAPS Contracted Players

Ajaz Patel — Hawke’s Bay, left-arm spinner

Will Young — Taranaki, batter

2024/25 Contracts — Second Round

Three names to be added, later this month.

 

ENQUIRE HERE

Article added: Thursday 18 July 2024

Author: Margot Butcher

All images: Photosport | Published under licence or ©️Margot Butcher