Ford Trophy Finals: Doug Bracewell returns to McLean Park fresh from the Black Caps’ call-up
Liam Dudding trains at Nelson Park for Tuesday's Ford Trophy final at McLean Park. Photo / Warren Buckland Doug Bracewell has returned from the Black Caps to play for the Central Stags in Tuesday's free entry Ford Trophy national final at McLean Park. It is the first domestic final to be played in Napier in 22 years and the top-qualified Stags have named a 13-man squad for their second consecutive trophy showdown. Donations will be collected at the gate for the official Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Fund and prizes will be given to supporters throughout the day. Captain Tom Bruce leads the squad from the front as the nation's top-ranked fielder in the competition, while first-class batsman Ben Smith has the highest scoring of any player this season. Hawke's Bay paceman Liam Dudding returns to the squad for the first time this year after suffering a forearm injury. If the weather prevents a result tomorrow, the Stags would claim the trophy due to their higher placement on the table.
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Published : 2 months ago by Mario Johnson in
Liam Dudding trains at Nelson Park for Tuesday’s Ford Trophy final at McLean Park. Photo / Warren Buckland
Doug Bracewell has returned from the Black Caps to play for the Central Stags in Tuesday’s free entry Ford Trophy national final.
It is scheduled to start at 11am against Canterbury at McLean Park.
It is the first domestic final to be played in Napier in 22 years and the top-qualified Stags have named a 13-man squad for their second consecutive trophy showdown.
Last season they made it into the one-day final as the best qualifier, but came away empty-handed.
It’s the first of two New Zealand titles the Stags will contest over the next eight days, with the Plunket Shield up for grabs in Nelson next week – and the same two teams, the Central Stags and Canterbury, the only two remaining contenders for the first class title.
The one day final at McLean Park is free entry to support Hawke’s Bay’s public and local cricket community after a tough month following Cyclone Gabrielle.
Donations will be collected at the gate for the official Hawke’s Bay Disaster Relief Fund and prizes will be given to supporters throughout the day. Spectators are encouraged to bring a banner to support their team and bring a picnic lunch for the grass bench or open seating in the Harris Grandstand.
Hawke’s Bay paceman Liam Dudding returns to the squad for the first time this year after suffering a forearm injury.
Top wicket-taker Brett Randell has been ruled out of the big game after suffering a concussion in Plunket Shield’s outstanding win at Palmerston North last week.
Veteran 33-game all-rounder Bevan Small has also been called up to the roster. If Small is in the starting XI, he will play his first one-day game for the team since November 2018 in Dunedin and his first home Ford Trophy game at McLean Park since 2015, following his inspirational comeback from two knee surgeries.
Captain Tom Bruce leads the squad from the front as the nation’s top-ranked fielder in the competition, his steady hands bagging nine catches.
First-class batsman Ben Smith has the highest scoring of any player this season: his stunning 145 in a win over the Northern Districts in Hamilton, while Hawke’s Bay’s Brad Schmulian is the second-highest run scorer in this year’s competition overall with 383 runs, an average of 42.56, including four half centuries and a best of 93.
Schmulian is poised to overtake Otago Volts captain Hamish Rutherford (408 runs) with another good shot tomorrow.
Canterbury took the long road to the finals by beating the Volts in a 2-on-3 elimination final in February.
Should the weather prevent a result tomorrow, the Stags would claim the trophy due to their higher placement on the table.
Spin star Ajaz Patel says the team is looking forward to playing on the field and winning the title.
“We always get up before games with Canterbury. It’s a classic rivalry for sure,” Patel said.
“They are a good side who have played very good cricket this summer and as a team we are looking forward to this challenge.”
Though the cyclone-postponed final will be played on a weekday, Patel is hoping that with free admission, Hawke’s Bay crowds can come down all day for lunch or after work – or all day to see a treat.
“It’s very special to have the final in Napier. Playing at home is an advantage for us, not for Canterbury.
“McLean Park is also a place I enjoy playing and after the hurricane and all the devastation that has happened here at Hawke’s Bay it’s really cool to be able to play here and hopefully bring a decent crowd so we can really something can bring joy to many faces.
“As a professional athlete, you’re also an entertainer and it’s important that we put on a show, have a great day for the people and their family and their friends.”