Former South Africa Under-19 World Cup rep Dean Foxcroft will be hoping for a happy Halloween after the Central Stags announced one change to their Ford Trophy squad for Round Three of the national Ford Trophy one-day competition, against Northern Districts at Nelson’s Saxton Oval tomorrow (Wednesday 31 October).

Coming into the squad for the first time, after veteran allrounder Kieran Noema-Barnett pulled a hamstring while batting during Sunday’s Round Two loss to Canterbury at Pukekura Park, 20-year-old right-hand batsman Foxcroft joins a remarkable array of recent ICC Under-19 World Cup players in what is likely to be the most youthful Central Stags squad in history.

Foxcroft, who has played rep cricket for Hawke’s Bay for the past two summers, joins fellow former South Africa Under-19 teammate Willem Ludick (21) in the squad, alongside former New Zealand Under-19 World Cup reps Felix Murray (20), Josh Clarkson (21) and Christian Leopard (21). 

All five played in the 2015/16 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh, where all but Clarkson played in the South Africa versus New Zealand playoff at Cox’s Bazar in which man of the match Foxcroft scored 117 off 137 balls to set up the winning total for South Africa.

Foxcroft has been in solid early season form, coming off an unbeaten century off just 53 balls in a six-wicket Howell Cup win for Hawke’s Bay over Bay of Plenty followed by an unbeaten 104 for Taradale in Hawke’s Bay’s club premiership at the weekend — his second century for the club this season.

Marlborough allrounder Ben Wheeler (continuing his rehabilitation from back surgery) and Hawke’s Bay’s leg-spinning batsman Brad Schmulian (dislocated finger) were not considered for selection.

The Stags are training this morning at Saxton Oval, captain Doug Bracewell keen to continue their success this season at their South Island home venue, against a winless ND team.

Wednesday’s match is scheduled to begin at 11am and is free admission.

Central Stags squad | Ford Trophy | Round Three v Northern Districts

Doug Bracewell — captain, Hawke’s Bay, List A caps: 37 + 16 for NZ + 12 for NZA

Josh Clarkson — Nelson, List A caps: 20

Ma’ara Ave — wicketkeeper, Marlborough, List A caps: 2

Dean Foxcroft — Hawke’s Bay, List A caps: 0

Greg Hay — Nelson, List A caps: 21 + 1 for NZA

Christian Leopard — Hawke’s Bay, List A caps: 4

Willie Ludick — Nelson, List A caps: 2

Ryan McCone — Horowhenua-Kapiti, List A caps: 3 + 32 for Canterbury

Felix Murray — Nelson, List A caps: 2

Navin Patel — Manawatu, List A caps: 5

Bevan Small — Manawatu, List A caps: 32

Ben Smith — Wanganui, List A caps: 41

Round Three Ford Trophy

Central Stags v Northern Districts

11am Wednesday 31 Oct 2018

Saxton Oval, Nelson

Free admission

Livescoring: visit nzc.nz

Twitter and Instagram updates: @CentralStags

Official hashtags: #FordTrophy #LoveTheStags

Article added: Tuesday 30 October 2018