The squads have landed for all the teams gearing up for the opening round of the men's one-day Ford Trophy.
Debuts are guaranteed tomorrow when the Central Stags and Northern Districts get underway at Nelson's Saxton Oval: Central has named two uncapped batters in their 12, while ND has sent three uncapped players to Nelson - albeit with the most experienced, Michael Sclanders, having previously played 10 games in this format for the Auckland Aces between 2022/23 and 2024/25.
Since moving to Northern Districts he's been a force majeur with huge scores in Hamilton club cricket, and is joined by newcomers James Naylor and Flynn Morey in BJ Watling's first ND squad of the new season - opportunities created by preseason injuries to the likes of Nick Kelly, Henry Cooper and Tim Pringle, as well as the absences of New Zealand A players and BLACKCAPS currently on NZC duty.
The Stags have brought in young batters Sam Cassidy and Taylor Bettelheim who have previously been sighted in the Super Smash and Plunket Shield respectively, but have yet to try their hand at The Ford Trophy.
In the other match taking place tomorrow (Wednesday), between the Auckland Aces and Canterbury at Eden Park's Kennards Hire Community Oval, Aces coach Rob Nicol has brought in two fresh faces as well: Harry Cullen-Hieatt and Jack Wright, with left-handed Luke Watson also in the frame for an Aces Ford Trophy debut after having previously appeared in a few games in the other two formats.
Canterbury has a more familiar look, but pace bowler Travis Muller - a seasoned player in The Ford Trophy from his Otago Volts days and capped for Canterbury in the other two formats since his migration north, still stands to add a red-and-black Ford Trophy cap to his collection.
If you missed the news today, be reminded that the Volts and the Wellington Firebirds are now playing on Thursday this week at the Cello Basin Reserve due to travel hiccups, so round one becomes a split one.
At the Basin (spring weather permitting of course), James Hartshorn stands to make his captaincy debut for the hosts, and Sam Morgan - previously spotted twice in the Super Smash - might be in the XI for the first time.
Opponents the Volts will bring young Tom Jones to town once their rescheduled flight touches down, and one doesn't have to remember back too far to recall what an outstanding Volts and first-class debut Jones made at this same ground last season with his 119 on debut in the red-ball format.
Brand new format, brand new campaigns - check out all the squads below and remember you can catch every ball live and free on NZC YouTube.