Seam bowler Michael Snedden has announced his retirement after a career that saw him continue a century-long family tradition, and represent both the Auckland Aces and Wellington Firebirds.
The 33-year-old debuted for the Aces in the 2018/19 season, playing two Ford Trophy matches in the navy kit before moving to the capital and making his name with the Wellington Firebirds over the subsequent seven summers.
Bending his back on debut against the Stags in Auckland | MBUTCHER
A tall right-arm seamer, he became the latest in a long line of distinguished cricketing Sneddens.
His antecedents, who tended to excel in law as well as cricket, had even been instrumental in bringing Eden Park (scene of his own debut on the number two ground) into being, back in the days when it had been boulder-strewn urban swamp full of cabbage trees.
With the Firebirds, Snedden became the first fourth-generation cricketer to play first-class cricket in New Zealand. His father Martin Snedden CNZM was a BLACKCAPS Test and one-day representative in the 1980s, and later served as both an NZC CEO and Board chair.
Grandfather Warwick Snedden, great-uncle Colin, and great-grandfather Nessie all played first-class cricket as well, with Colin also having been a New Zealand Test rep and, later, a consummate radio cricket and rugby commentator.
Nessie had captained New Zealand in days before it has Test status, and Nessie's brother Cyril was yet another Snedden to play first-class cricket for Auckland.
View this post on Instagram
Few cricketers come into the game with such a heritage to live up to and Snedden did the family proud, making his first-class debut against Canterbury at the Cello Basin Reserve in the 2019/20 season.
In March this year, in the 2025/26 Plunket Shield, he became the fourth bowler in his family to take a first-class five-wicket bag, a highlight among an ultimate tally of 86 first-class wickets, 32 List A wickets and 17 in the Super Smash.
Standing tall, literally, with both bat and ball, Cricket Wellington noted that Snedden’s journey to Domestic cricket was far from straightforward. After representing an Otago A side and a New Zealand XI in 2014/15 (whilst at Otago Uni, studying to be a teacher), he suffered a dislocated shoulder that required multiple reconstructive surgeries.
Through determination and hard work, he returned and went on to carve out his successful playing career, including his 40 first-class appearances for Wellington - highlighted by a best performance of 5/56 against the Aces in the 2025/26 Plunket Shield season, in what proved to be his final appearance at the Basin. He also contributed valuable lower order runs.
While he is hanging up the bowling boots, Snedden will continue his connection to Cricket Wellington as he begins a new professional role as its Events and Membership Manager.
Firebirds Head Coach Shane Jurgensen said Snedden’s value to his group extended far beyond his performances with the ball.
"Sneds would provide the impact we needed for the team with the ball and would do whatever the team required, whether that was bowling into the wind or putting the pads on as nightwatchman,” he said.
View this post on Instagram
"He was extremely dedicated to his role, and became the heartbeat of the group - always ready to provide the dressing-room with a laugh or be someone players could lean on. He had a great feel for where the team was at, and was a genuine connector within the environment."
Snedden himself said he would always be "incredibly grateful for the support this organisation has given me.
"When I first came down to Wellington, I wasn’t owed anything, and the Firebirds were willing to give me an opportunity I had forever dreamed of.
"From the coaches and support staff to the players I’ve shared the changing room with, the people here backed me and helped me grow not only as a cricketer, but as a person as well.
"There has been no better way to finish my playing career than with this current group of players, coaches and support staff. I’ve made friendships and memories that will stay with me forever."
