Stags captain TOM BRUCE has rejoined a strong Central squad after the birth of his first child, and will take the reins for Monday afternoon’s home clash with the Otago Volts.

The Stags defeated the Volts by 53 runs in their high-scoring away match a fortnight ago, in which stand-in captain GEORGE WORKER blasted his maiden T20 century - just the fourth T20 hundred for the Stags.

BAYLEY WIGGINS and JAYDEN LENNOX drop out from the 13 named for the 18-run victory at Hagley Oval that took the Stags to four solid wins from six games to sit second on the table - and well within touch of the Canterbury Kings who leapfrogged them with a win against joint leaders the Firebirds today.

Tom Bruce = safe hands | PHOTOSPORT

Even with swing bowler SETH RANCE (calf) and left-arm BEN WHEELER (making a gradual return from his knee injury) still sidelined, the Stags’ 12 contains seven current or recent BLACKCAPS in ROSS TAYLOR, AJAZ PATEL, BLAIR TICKNER, WILL YOUNG, BRUCE, WORKER and DOUG BRACEWELL.

DOUG BRACEWELL | PHOTOSPORT

Bracewell was outstanding in his roles with both bat and ball at Hagley Oval, picking up his second Dream11 Gamechanger award of the season, while Young has produced back-to-back T20 half centuries despite not having played in the format since the 2018/19 Grand Final, won by the Stags in February 2019.

Tall 20-year-old allrounder JOEY FIELD continues to hold his place amongst that company in his rookie season, with Tickner (equal first with nine wickets), Field and Bracewell (equal third with seven) all among the top wicket-takers in the league. 

JOEY FIELD | PHOTOSPORT

Worker is the most prolific batsman nationally with 338 runs from six innings and the form left-hander will look forward to going head-to-head again with experienced Volts top order stars Hamish Rutherford and Neil Broom from 4PM on Monday.

The Stags’ game forms the second part of Monday's T20 doubleheader against the Otago Sparks and Volts.

Gates open at 11.30AM for the Hinds v Sparks at 12.30PM, one ticket getting spectators into both T20s. Both games are livestreamed by NZC with tickets available from $5 Junior and $15 Adult if you prepurchase online at www.cdcricket.flicket.nz

Wear green to the game and the best-dressed spectators will be in to win a signed shirt, cap or $50 voucher to treat themselves at The Devon Hotel.