Four will become three this Saturday in The Ford Trophy Semi-Finals.
While the loser of the 1v2 Semi-Final between the Central Stags and Auckland Aces in New Plymouth will still have a chance to make the 2018 Ford Trophy Grand Final, nerves will be jangling at Whangarei’s Cobham Oval — where either hosts Northern Districts (third qualifier) or defending champions Canterbury (fourth qualifier) will exit the competition.
Last season's champs have done it tough in 2017/18. PHOTOSPORT
Out to add the coveted Ford Trophy to the 2017/18 Burger King Super Smash Twenty20 trophy already locked away in their cabinet this summer, Northern Districts last claimed the one-day title in the 2009/10 season.
Since then, the Auckland Aces (second qualifier) have lifted the grand prize twice and the Stags (top qualifier) three times, while Canterbury’s one-day success in last summer’s Grand Final broke a decade-long title drought in the one-day format.
Recent champions
2016/17 Canterbury (defeated Wellington Firebirds at Rangiora)
2015/16 Central Stags (defeated Canterbury at Pukekura Park)
2014/15 Central Stags (defeated Auckland Aces at Colin Maiden Park)
2013/14 Wellington Firebirds (defeated Northern Districts at Bay Oval)
2012/13 Auckland Aces (defeated Canterbury at Eden Park Outer Oval)
2011/12 Central Stags (defeated Auckland Aces at Pukekura Park)
2010/11 Auckland Aces (defeated Canterbury at Queen Elizabeth II Park, Christchurch)
2009/10 Northern Districts (defeated Auckland Aces at Colin Maiden Park)
2008/09 Northern Districts (defeated Otago Volts at Seddon Park)
As the fourth qualifier, Canterbury also heads into Saturday’s sudden death 3v4 showdown at the mercy of the weather and will be relieved to see forecasts predicting mainly settled skies for Northland.
The winner will progress to Wednesday’s Elimination Final where they will meet either the Stags or Aces in another sudden death playoff to determine who meets the 1v2 Semi-Final winner in the 2018 Grand Final, the series of high pressure matches designed to help prepare potential players for the cut and thrust of international cricket.
Buckle up for edge of your seat action in the national one-day Finals. PHOTOSPORT
The winner of the one-day Ford Trophy receives $60,000 in prize money while the runner-up will collect $15,000. There is no prize money for minor placings.
Canterbury has notably fought its way back from an injury-plagued start to the season — the early casualties including captain Andrew Ellis who broke a carpal bone in his left hand when facing his first delivery of the season in a warm-up match, then an index finger in the Plunket Shield.
Ellis regularly fronts up for his team with bat and ball. PHOTOSPORT
Influential allrounder Ellis, last season’s NZC Domestic Cricketer of the Year, returned to the struggling side before he had regained full strength in the hand, burying himself deep down the batting order.
With two rounds to go in the regular season, his side was still moored in last place after a nailbiting loss to the Stags in Palmerston North — despite captain Ellis (93*) helping smash a seventh-wicket record with Kyle Jamieson — before results fell their way at the death to keep their rare title defence dream alive.
Sean Solia will be an Aces dangerman at Pukekura Park. MButcher/NZC
All four contenders have named their squads today.
Both Ford Trophy Semi-Finals are scheduled for 11am Saturday and entry to the Cobham Oval 3v4 Semi-Final is FREE admission for the Whangarei public. Admission prices for the 1v2 Semi-Final at Pukekura Park will be the same as those for the Burger King Super Smash matches played at the ground this summer, with tickets available at the gate from 10am on game day: Adults $15,Juniors $5, Under-2s free; family pass (2A+3J) $30.
Central Stags: Will Young (captain), Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (w), Adam Milne, Ajaz Patel, Seth Rance, Jesse Ryder, Bevan Small, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, George Worker
Auckland Aces: Craig Cachopa (captain), Finn Allen, Michael Barry, Graeme Beghin, Jamie Brown, Lockie Ferguson, Donovan Grobbelaar, Ben Horne, Matt McEwan, Tarun Nethula, Glenn Phillips, Jeet Raval, Sean Solia (Matt McEwan is a late change to the Aces’ squad released earlier today, replacing Ben Lister who is ill).
Northern Districts: Dean Brownlie (captain), Brent Arnel, Henry Cooper, Daniel Flynn, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Nick Kelly, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Brett Randell, Josef Walker, BJ Watling (w)
Canterbury: Andrew Ellis (captain), Blake Coburn,Michael Davidson, Cameron Fletcher, Andrew Hazeldine, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tim Johnston, Tom Latham, Cole McConchie, Henry Nicholls, Ed Nuttall, Michael Pollard
• All matches are live-scored at www.nzc.nz
