Last year's Ford Trophy Finalists are back for more in today's rematch for the 2025 title between defending champion Canterbury and the strong Auckland Aces.
Both teams are packed with big names and riveting match-ups... including a collegial leg-spinning battle between self-confessed cricket nuffies, Ish Sodhi and Adi Ashok.
Canterbury has masterful Henry Nicholls back from a niggly leg injury while the Auckland Aces are fresh off their impressive win in Friday's Elimination Final at the same Dunedin ground against the Central Stags, in which BLACKCAPS allrounder Jimmy Neesham held centre court with a captivating first, and overall career best, one-day century for his hometown team.
Can Can-terbury go back-to-back today? @CanterburyCrick & @aucklandcricket have both won The #FORDTROPHY national one-day crown three times in the last decade. pic.twitter.com/FNEulvrd8V
— #NZIII (@MargotButcher) March 1, 2025
These two rival city sides have a big track record of fighting tooth and nail. You only have to look back to last week to see that evidence. Canterbury defeated the Aces by just one run to snatch the direct entry to today's Grand Final in a high-scoring scrap in Rangiora.
Canterbury captain Cole McConchie | MBUTCHER
Incredibly, it was the red and blacks' second one-run victory of the summer, with the other instance this season having been against the Otago Volts in Dunedin at this same ground - and they've only ever had three of them.
Today's 2024/25 Grand Final is free admission, with a free multi-camera livestream with expert commentary at www.nzc.nz, NZC YouTube and on the NZC app. You can also listen to Sport Nation live commentary on the Sport Nation app live from 10.25am and BLACKCAPS and Canterbury's classy leg-spinner Ish Sodhi says he can't wait to get on a deck that's now into it's third day of one-day cricket action - after the feast of three high-stakes finals in a row, across The Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Sodhi watched Friday's 2v3 Elimination Final with interest, not only to find out who he'd be playing today but to check out his leg-spinning colleague Adithya (Adi) Ashok's performance for the Aces on this pitch.
Adi Ashok | PHOTOSPORT
The two may be rivals on the field today, but the two Indian-born New Zealand leggies have a collegial friendship that overcomes the borders of Domestic cricket rivalry - when they're not playing each other, that is.
"We talk about leg-spin a lot," says Sodhi who has been a key mentor and role model for the 22-year-old Ashok.
"Maybe too much! We're always in each other's ear. I'm always hitting him up with some theories. I'll drive home from training sometimes and get him on the phone, 'Hey what do you reckon about this....' because he's got a great head on his shoulders.
Ish Sodhi | PHOTOSPORT
"So it's awesome to be able to share the experience of being a leggie in New Zealand with Adi. In his early career, he's shown a lot of skill, and he's been bowling pretty well."
The Aces put a strong total on the board batting first in Dunedin, but the Stags got off to a decent start in reply and dangerman Tom Bruce planted Ashok onto the roof of the University of Otago Oval Stand with one of the most eye-catching shots of the day.
But good leg-spinners have the ability to shake off those inevitable moments, and Ashok struck back with 3/55 off his 10 overs, including the crucial wickets of Jack Boyle and Josh Clarkson.
PHOTOSPORT
"Adi bowled really well in that Elimination Final," says Sodhi.
"It looked like there was a shorter boundary to one side, and it showed a lot of character to be able to bowl to that side for a long period of time. And with some runs of the board [to help defend a total], it gave him a chance to take some tough options.
"Towards the back end of his spell, I saw there was definitely a little bit of turn out there. Whether that's the same today or not, we'll see.
"Often in Dunedin, the second day on a pitch can be a better pitch, so with this being a day three, it's something we're expecting the Final."
View this post on Instagram
Sodhi says the "big dance" will be an epic clash.
"They'e a good side with a lot of experience and explosive power through their middle order. Jimmy's going to be confident for the Final after that hundred the other day, and that can feed into the younger guys as well.
"I think they're going to be a dangerous side, but the team that plays the best cricket will win and hopefully that's us today."
For his part, Jimmy Neesham is also looking forward to the head-to-head clash.
"They're two incredibly skilful bowlers who go about their craft in different ways. It will be interesting to watch them both bowling in the same match and yeah they talk about leg-spin so much that we reckon they should just room together.
"Canterbury have got a strong seam attack as well, with a few guys who have played international cricket too. If I'm allowed to say it, I think we've got the two best teams in the Final, and I'm really looking forward to the match-up."
