DEBUTANTS COMPLETE STAGS ROSTER

THE CENTRAL STAGS contracted player roster for the coming season is complete with the announcement today of two further first-time contractees.

Manawatū left-arm paceman RAY TOOLE and Hawke’s Bay left-arm off-spinner JAYDEN LENNOX join BRAD SCHMULIAN and BAYLEY WIGGINS as new names on the annual roster for 2020/21.

Toole and Lennox both debuted for the team during the injury-hit 2019/20 summer and CDCA Manager, High Performance Lance Hamilton said it was pleasing to be see two hard-working young bowlers take another step forward in their respective careers.

RAY TOOLE WRAPS UP THE FIREBIRDS AT THE BASIN | Image courtesy Gavin Toole

“Ray came into the squad for the first time in the first-class Plunket Shield late last year as a 22-year-old, debuting for us away at Bay Oval against an ND team that had BLACKCAPS Trent Boult, Neil Wagner and BJ Watling.

“It was a baptism of fire, but he relished the opportunity and acquitted himself well. He got Watling as his maiden wicket, and contributed to a hard-fought win for the Stags.

“He has now played 10 matches for us across both the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy competitions, and shapes as a highly promising young player in our pace attack.”

JAYDEN LENNOX (left) STEPPED UP TO THE SQUAD FOR LAST SUMMER'S ONE-DAYERS

Napier-based Lennox, 25, has been at the forefront Hawke’s Bay’s spin attack for several seasons and has consistently impressed for CD’s A side.

He got his first opportunity for the Stags with the white ball, playing four matches in last season’s Ford Trophy campaign after having been named alongside fellow List A debutant Toole for the opening match of the one-day campaign.

JAYDEN LENNOX IN ACTION AT PUKEKURA PARK | MBUTCHER CDCA

In February, Lennox was also called into the Plunket Shield squad for the first time and remains poised to add his first-class debut, after having run the drinks in that match at McLean Park.

“With Ajaz Patel now contracted by NZC and likely to be away with the BLACKCAPS more frequently, Jayden shores up the Stags’ spin-bowling depth”, said Hamilton.

“He came in as a like-for-like replacement for Ajaz last summer and had earned that selection through his consistent performances.”

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR JAYDEN LENNOX

Even with a quartet of newly minted contractees for 2020/21, the Stags’ roster packs plenty of experience. No fewer than seven of the 16 contracted players have represented the BLACKCAPS, while Greg Hay and Dane Cleaver have played for New Zealand A.

The Stags are back together in training this week to begin the build-up for the coming season — play expected to start in October as usual with the opening round of the first-class Plunket Shield.

CDCA congratulates all of our contracted squad, together with young Nelson pace bowler JARROD MCKAY who has secured a first-time 2020/21 contract with Otago, after having debuted alongside Toole in last summer's Plunket Shield.

Contracted Central Hinds and WHITE FERNS Development Contracts will be announced in coming weeks.