New Zealand's premier One Day competition the Ford Trophy is returning to the summer holiday period, with the competition taking place in late December and throughout January.
"The One Day format is perfect for the whole family to enjoy top level cricket," says New Zealand Cricket's General Manager Domestic Cricket David Cooper. "That's why we're playing during the summer school holidays at venues like Queenstown, Nelson and Mount Maunganui, as well as on dates that fall between international matches."
BLACKCAPS Head Coach Mike Hesson says the Ford Trophy is an important part of the selection process. "The selectors watch all the matches closely, it's extremely valuable for talent identification for all our squads. There's added pressure this year with the ICC Cricket World Cup squad to be named in early January. It's the last chance for players to push their claims," says Hesson.
Current champions the Wellington Firebirds kick off the competition against the Mondiale Auckland Aces at Eden Park No. 2 on 27 December 2014. The six teams play eight rounds, culminating in a three-match preliminary finals series. The final will be be played on Sunday 1 February 2015, televised live on SKY Sport.
Cooper says "This schedule is locked in for the next four years. Playing the Ford Trophy during the summer school holiday period is one of the outcomes of the Domestic Cricket Review, which is all about maximising entertainment, commercial and high performance opportunities. This is just one part of a huge summer of cricket and the perfect lead-in to ICC Cricket World Cup 2015."
Every match of the 2014-15 domestic season will be live-scored on www.blackcaps.co.nz and the Major Association websites.
