The Ford Trophy will open New Zealand’s domestic summer of cricket, with the one-day competition set to start the 2024-25 season on Sunday, October 20.
The move breaks a six-year tradition of the Plunket Shield beginning proceedings, the red-ball competition instead beginning on November 11, with the first four rounds to be played in the lead up to, and during England’s inbound three-test tour against the Black Caps..
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The Hallyburton Johnstone Shield women’s one-day competition will start on November 16, with six of the 10 rounds scheduled in the lead up to the iconic Rose Bowl one-day series between the White Ferns and Australia, starting at the Basin Reserve on December 19.
Other features of the domestic schedule include a men’s and women’s white-ball finals weekend confirmed for Dunedin’s University of Otago Oval across three days, from Friday, February 28.
In total, 14 venues will host domestic cricket across the three competitions this season, from Cobham Oval in Northland to Queen’s Park in Southland.
NZC head of cricket operations Richard Brewer said the coming season had a new and exciting feel to it.
“Anytime you make a few decent changes to the season schedules it certainly freshens things up,” he said.
“We consulted with the players, coaches and turf managers around white-ball cricket starting the men’s season instead of the Plunket Shield.
“The change will see slightly different pitch conditions for both competitions, which will bring new challenges for both batters and bowlers.
“The fact the red-ball competition also now aligns with the England Test tour is an added bonus.
“Similarly, it’s great to have the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield leading into the White Ferns series against Australia before Christmas, which will allow many of our best female players quality one-day preparation and a chance to push their cases for selection.
“To have 14 venues hosting domestic cricket this summer means all fans across the country will have a chance to see our best men’s and women’s professional cricketers in action and for free.”
The defending HBJ Shield champion Otago Sparks will open their campaign away to the Canterbury Magicians at Mainpower Oval in Rangiora on Saturday, November 16.
The women’s 50-over competition will follow the same structure as last season, with five double-header weekends, in which teams play one another back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday. The top-two teams will square off in the grand final on March 1.
Defending champions Canterbury will start the Ford Trophy away to Wellington on October 20.
The Firebirds will begin their Plunket Shield title defence against the Auckland Aces at the Basin Reserve on November 11.
The final four rounds of the four-day competition will then close-out the domestic summer as usual in March and early-April.
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