Taranaki will make its first Hawke Cup Challenge since 2017/18, after having won the right to challenge Hawke's Bay on behalf of the rest of Zone 2.
They will be off to Napier at the end of this month for a rematch with Hawke's Bay - whom they defeated in the opening round of the Furlong Cup this season.
Taranaki had headed into the last round of Central Districts Cricket's Furlong Cup at Pukekura Park yesterday needing only to keep opponent Manawatū at bay in the home two-dayer to ink in the Challenge against the current holder on the opposite coast of CD.
They sealed the deal by defeating Manawatū on the first innings, by 65 runs - Taranaki captain Sam Fastier sprinting to take the final Manawatū wicket on the boundary as Jack Harris offered up a difficult catch off Mattie Thomas, after Ben Frewin had put Taranaki in charge with a crunch five-wicket bag.
It represented a tremendous fightback in the game from Taranaki, after having been 118/8 in their own innings on day one, before Trent McGrath (79) and Jordie Gard (58 not out) helped them recover to 261, and secure the batting points they needed to keep their Hawke Cup dream afloat.
Taranaki last held the Hawke Cup in 2006/07, while Hawke’s Bay has regularly served as its custodians in recent times.
Hawke's Bay steamed through last summer's Challenge Match menu undefeated, having uplifted the special piece of 1910 silverware from Canterbury Country in Rangiora at the start of that season, in a match that had been postponed from the previous season by Cyclone Gabrielle.
Hawke's Bay then saw off the four 'regular season' defences in early 2024.
Hawke's Bay also made a good finish to their Furlong Cup campaign over the weekend, finishing with a comfortable first innings win against Whanganui in Napier, after having plastered 501/7 on the scoreboard.
The Hawke Cup holder is expected to name a strong side as they attempt to extend their streak to six matches, Dominic Thompson (100 not out) and Bayley Wiggins (101) both fresh off centuries at Nelson Park against Whanganui, and Central Stags leg-spinning batter Brad Schmulian having contributed 4/40 with the ball.
Livescores for the Zone 2 Challenge match will be available at www.nzc.nz and on the NZC app.
HAWKE CUP
2024/25 Challenge Match Schedule
Zone 2 Challenge Match
31 January-2 February 2025
Holder Hawke's Bay v Zone 2 qualifier Taranaki
At Nelson Park, Napier
Zone 1 Challenge Match
14-16 February 2025
Holder v Zone 1 Qualifier
At Holder's Home Ground
Zone 3 Challenge Match
28 February-2 March 2025
Holder v Zone 3 Qualifier
At Holder's Home Ground
Zone 4 Challenge Match
14-16 March 2025
Holder v Zone 4 Qualifier
At Holder's Home Ground
