New Zealand’s premier List A domestic limited-overs cricket competition, the Ford Trophy 2023-24, is all set to commence on November 25 and will run through February 24. Organized by New Zealand Cricket (NZC), this tournament will witness six teams battling it out in a total of 32 thrilling 50-over matches.
Participating Teams
The six teams competing in the Ford Trophy 2023-24 are:
- Auckland Aces
- Canterbury
- Central Stags
- Northern Districts
- Otago Volts
- Wellington Firebirds
Tournament Format
As per the Ford Trophy 2023-24 schedule, the teams will engage in a double round-robin format. Each side will play against the other five twice, leading to a total of 30 league matches. The team securing the top spot in the standings at the conclusion of the league stage will directly qualify for the final.
The second and third-placed teams will battle it out in the Eliminator, with the winner earning the other spot in the summit clash.
Defending Champions
The Central Stags, formerly known as Central Districts, are the defending champions of the Ford Trophy. In the 2022-23 final, they emerged victorious by defeating Canterbury with a convincing six-wicket margin.
Ford Trophy 2023-24 teams and squads
Auckland Aces: Adithya Ashok, George Worker, Robert O’Donnell, Simon Keene, William O’Donnell, Harjot Johal, Ryan Harrison, Sean Solia, Cam Fletcher (wicket-keeper), Cole Briggs (wicket-keeper), Quinn Sunde (wicket-keeper), Benjamin Lister, Danru Ferns, Louis Delport, Matthew Gibson, Yahya Zeb
Canterbury: Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Leo Carter, Matt Boyle, Mitchell Hay (wicket-keeper), Rhys Mariu, Zakary Foulkes, Cole McConchie, Henry Shipley, Michael Rippon, Angus McKenzie, Edward Nuttall, Fraser Sheat, Michael Rae, Sean Davey, William O’Rourke
Central Stags: Greg Hay, Jack Boyle, Tom Bruce, William Clark, Brad Schmulian, Doug Bracewell, Joey Field, Josh Clarkson, Bayley Wiggins (wicket-keeper), Curtis Heaphy (wicket-keeper), Dane Cleaver (wicket-keeper), Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Jayden Lennox, Liam Dudding, Ray Toole
Northern Districts: Bharat Popli, Henry Cooper, Jeet Raval, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Kristian Clarke, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Tim Seifert (wicket-keeper), Frederick Walker, Joe Walker, Matthew Fisher, Scott Johnston, Tim Pringle, Zak Gibson
Otago Volts: Dale Phillips, Hamish Rutherford, Llew Johnson, Ollie White, Thorn Parkes, Dean Foxcroft, Jacob Cumming, Luke Georgeson, Max Chu (wicket-keeper), Andrew Hazeldine, Ben Lockrose, Jacob Duffy, Jake Gibson, Jarrod McKay, Matthew Bacon, Travis Muller
Wellington Firebirds: James Hartshorn, Jesse Tashkoff, Nick Greenwood, Nick Kelly, Tim Robinson, Troy Johnson, Muhammad Arslan Abbas, Rachin Ravindra, Callum McLachlan (wicket-keeper), Gareth Severin (wicket-keeper), Ben Sears, Ian McPeake, Logan van Beek, Michael Snedden, Nathan Smith, Peter Younghusband
Historical Success
Canterbury stands as the most successful team in the history of the competition, having clinched the title on 15 occasions since the inaugural season in 1971-72. Auckland closely follows with 13 trophies to their name.
How to Watch in India
For cricket enthusiasts in India, live streaming of the Ford Trophy 2023-24 will be available on New Zealand Cricket’s YouTube channel. However, there will be no live telecast of the tournament on any TV channel in India.
Cricket fans can tune in to the official YouTube channel of New Zealand Cricket to catch the action live and stay updated on the thrilling encounters throughout the Ford Trophy 2023-24.
Ford Trophy 2023-24 schedule and live match start times
All timings are in India Standard Time (IST)
| Day and Date | Match | Venue | Time |
| Saturday, November 25 | Central Stags vs Northern Districts | Saxton Oval, Nelson | 3:00 AM |
| Saturday, November 25 | Otago Volts vs Auckland Aces | Queen’s Park, Invercargill | 3:00 AM |
| Saturday, November 25 | Canterbury vs Wellington Firebirds | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday, November 29 | Auckland Aces vs Otago Volts | Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday, November 29 | Central Stags vs Canterbury | Pukekura Park, New Plymouth | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday, November 29 | Northern Districts vs Wellington Firebirds | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 3:00 AM |
| Sunday, December 3 | Canterbury vs Auckland Aces | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:00 AM |
| Sunday, December 3 | Northern Districts vs Otago Volts | Seddon Park, Hamilton | 3:00 AM |
| Sunday, December 3 | Central Stags vs Wellington Firebirds | Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North | 3:00 AM |
| Thursday, December 7 | Northern Districts vs Auckland Aces | Cobham Oval, Whangarei | 3:00 AM |
| Thursday, December 7 | Wellington Firebirds vs Canterbury | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:00 AM |
| Thursday, December 7 | Central Stags vs Otago Volts | Pukekura Park, New Plymouth | 3:00 AM |
| Tuesday, December 12 | Otago Volts vs Canterbury | Queen’s Park, Invercargill | 3:00 AM |
| Tuesday, December 12 | Northern Districts vs Central Stags | Cobham Oval, Whangarei | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday, December 13 | Auckland Aces vs Wellington Firebirds | Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland | 3:00 AM |
| Thursday, February 1 | Auckland Aces vs Northern Districts | Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland | 3:00 AM |
| Friday, February 2 | Wellington Firebirds vs Central Stags | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:00 AM |
| Friday, February 2 | Canterbury vs Otago Volts | Mainpower Oval, Rangiora | 3:00 AM |
| Tuesday, February 6 | Otago Volts vs Central Stags | University of Otago Oval, Dunedin | 3:00 AM |
| Tuesday, February 6 | Auckland Aces vs Canterbury | Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland | 3:00 AM |
| Tuesday, February 6 | Wellington Firebirds vs Northern Districts | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 10 | Wellington Firebirds vs Otago Volts | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 10 | Central Stags vs Auckland Aces | McLean Park, Napier | 3:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 10 | Canterbury vs Northern Districts | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday. February 14 | Otago Volts vs Northern Districts | John Davies Oval, Queenstown | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday. February 14 | Canterbury vs Central Stags | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday. February 14 | Wellington Firebirds vs Auckland Aces | Basin Reserve, Wellington | 3:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 18 | Otago Volts vs Wellington Firebirds | John Davies Oval, Queenstown | 3:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 18 | Northern Districts vs Canterbury | Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui | 3:00 AM |
| Sunday, February 18 | Auckland Aces vs Central Stags | Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland | 3:00 AM |
| Wednesday. February 21 | Eliminator | To be confirmed | 3:00 AM |
| Saturday, February 24 | Ford Trophy 2023-24 final | To be confirmed | 3:00 AM |
The upcoming tournament promises an exhilarating display of cricketing prowess, as teams compete for supremacy and the coveted Ford Trophy. As the cricketing fever builds up, fans across the globe eagerly await the intense clashes that will unfold in this prestigious List A competition.