Cricket

Kane Williamson, the New Zealand cricket captain, made a triumphant return to competitive cricket after a two-month absence due to a groin injury. Playing for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield match against Auckland, Williamson scored a solid 60 runs, demonstrating his unwavering determination and skill.Auckland won the toss and elected to field, giving Northern Districts the opportunity to bat first. Williamson entered the crease after the fall of the first wicket and played a patient and composed innings. He faced 122 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries during his nearly three-hour stay at the crease.Williamson formed a crucial partnership with Robert O'Donnell, adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket. He also shared a 36-run stand with Brett Hampton before being dismissed lbw by Jordan Sussex.This match marked Williamson's first appearance in the Plunket Shield in five years, having last played in the competition in October 2019. Despite his extended absence, Williamson expressed his deep connection to Northern Districts, stating, "You always feel like an ND man, whether you are here or not."Williamson's return to competitive cricket is a significant boost for New Zealand ahead of their upcoming Test series against England. He missed the Test tour of India and the white-ball series in Sri Lanka due to his injury, but his inclusion in the squad for the England series is a testament to his importance to the team.The first Test against England will commence on November 28 in Christchurch, followed by matches in Wellington and Hamilton. This series will also mark the final Test appearances for Williamson's long-time teammate, Tim Southee, unless New Zealand qualifies for the World Test Championship final next year.

New Zealand's domestic cricket season will undergo a significant change in 2024-25, with the Ford Trophy, the men's 50-over competition, kicking off the season instead of the traditional Plunket Shield. This marks the first time in six years that the Ford Trophy will open the domestic campaign.The season will commence on October 20 with three rounds of Ford Trophy matches. Defending champions Canterbury will face Wellington in one of the opening day fixtures. The Plunket Shield will then take over from November 11, with two rounds scheduled before New Zealand's home series against England. The first Test against England begins on November 28, coinciding with the third set of Plunket Shield games.Similarly, the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, the domestic one-day tournament for women, will start on November 16, aligning with Australia's inbound tour, which includes three ODIs. Six rounds of Johnstone Shield games will be played before New Zealand takes on Australia in the first ODI on December 19.The change in the domestic schedule was made after consultations with players, coaches, and turf managers. Richard Brewer, NZC head of cricket operations, explained that the move will provide different pitch conditions for both competitions, presenting new challenges for batters and bowlers. Additionally, the alignment of the Plunket Shield with the England Test tour is seen as an added benefit.For men, five rounds of the Ford Trophy will be followed by four in the Plunket Shield until December 10. The Ford Trophy resumes on February 6 and concludes with the final on March 2 in Dunedin. The Plunket Shield then takes over again from March 5, with the domestic season concluding with the Plunket Shield final round from March 29 to April 1.For women, the Johnstone Shield breaks after six rounds on December 15 and restarts on February 8. The final will be played on March 1 in Dunedin.The NZC is yet to confirm dates for the men and women's Super Smash, the T20 competition.

Wellington have emerged victorious as the Plunket Shield champions after the final day of their match against Northern Districts in Hamilton was washed out due to inclement weather. The match at Seddon Park was a virtual final, with Wellington and Northern Districts being the only two teams in contention for the title in the final round.Wellington entered the game with a narrow lead at the top of the table and managed to accumulate sufficient bonus points during the first two innings to maintain their advantage. Northern Districts had a glimmer of hope after Tim Seifert's century gave them a slender lead of 88, and they had Wellington reeling at 127 for 4 in their second innings. However, they were unable to take the field on the final day, handing the title to Wellington.Wellington captain Tom Blundell expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "Ideally, you want to see the game go the distance, but it's a competition where you work hard throughout the season. We're unbeaten the whole season, so I think for me, we are the deserving winners." He added, "It's a pretty special day. For me, the Plunket Shield is probably the most rewarding trophy in domestic cricket. You play a whole season, and to come away with the Plunket Shield is a pretty special memory."Blundell played a pivotal role in Wellington's triumph, scoring a century in their first innings to lift them to 323. He shared a crucial 77-run partnership with Ben Sears for the final wicket, earning vital bonus points.Otago's Dale Phillips emerged as the leading run-scorer for the season, amassing 686 runs at an average of 49.00, including two centuries in the final two rounds. Central Districts' Greg Hay, who finished third with 643 runs at 49.46, announced his retirement from the game at the end of the season, signing off with an impressive 179 off 434 balls against Otago.Wellington's Nathan Smith was the top wicket-taker with 33 wickets at an average of 17.18, including two five-wicket hauls.