The fourth and final of NZC’s 2025/26 age-group Nationals is due to get underway this Thursday at NZC’s high performance complex in Lincoln.
The age-group summer programme is ending on a high note with the first edition of the NZC National U17 Girls' Tournament — marking a shift from the past three seasons, when its forerunnner was introduced and delivered by Manawatū Cricket Association, on an invitational basis.
The change reflects a significant strengthening of women’s cricket pathways at national level, and it's the first season that NZC has delivered twin men's and women's Under 19 nationals as well as twin men's and women's U17 nationals - a timely addition, given a 15 per cent rise in female participation numbers since last season.
Notably, 80 secondary school girls’ teams participated in the 2025 Summer Tournament Week last season, highlighting the growing popularity of youth cricket.
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Auckland's Under 17 men's cricketers are meanwhile fresh off an impressive unbeaten run through the last week's male nationals, captain Kriv Kadakia and number four batter lifting the NZC U17 men's trophy.
PHOTOSPORT
Auckland began with a red-ball draw against Central Districts, after declaring their first innings for 366/7 with Cody Rummel scoring a century.
Victory narrowly eluded Auckland in that match (after CD, who went on to finish third, held onto their last wicket, nine down),.
After that, however, it was Auckland on a strong run home, with a 10-wicket win over Canterbury in the second round of two-dayers, then comfortable one-day wins over both Wellington and Otago to earn the trophy.
PHOTOSPORT
Northern Districts also enjoyed a strong week to finish runner-up, winning two of their four matches - as did Central Districts.
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The result means Auckland has now claimed two of the summer's four age-group trophies, the association's Under 19 Men's team having also seen off a good challenge from ND for that title, earlier this season.
Wellington claimed the women’s Under-19 silverware, dropping only one of their eight matches en route, and now all eyes are on which of the six teams will be the first to win the new NZC Women's Under 17 title.
Scroll down to see the squad selections, and let's hope the weather plays ball for all the emerging cricketers gathered for the first time at Lincoln.
NZC Women's Under 17 Tournament
- Lincoln, Canterbury, 22 to 25 January 2026 - feature matches livestreamed on NZC YouTube and livescores at www.nzc.nz
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