The Mondiale Auckland Aces may have home advantage, but they’ll be up against a Devon Hotel Central Stags side with the competition’s top run scorer and wicket taker.
Ford Trophy Grand Final
- Devon Hotel Central Stags v Mondiale Auckland Aces
- Sunday 1 February 11am
- Colin Maiden Park, Auckland
- Free entry
- Live on SKY Sport
- Follow #fordtrophy for Grand Final tweets
George Worker has racked up 536 runs this season so far, including three centuries, while Andrew Mathieson has 27 scalps in 2015, nine ahead of his closest rival Jacob Duffy.
George Worker has been the mainstay of the Stags' season with the bat.
The Stags had a consistent run through the competition, with just two losses in the regular season, before going down to the Aces in last Saturday’s Preliminary Final, defending 260 at Pukekura Park.
The Stags are led by Kruger van Wyk, who has led his side by example this year, typified by his 114* against the Otago Volts in Dunedin to get his side home by four wickets. They’ll look to Worker, Jamie How, Will Young (who has enjoyed a fine season) and Dane Cleaver for their runs through the middle, along with Tom Bruce, who scored 88 on debut in Wednesday’s Semi-Final.
By making the Grand Final they have the chance to send long-time Stags stalwart How, who will retire from cricket after this match, out with a bang – the team should draw some inspiration from this. Kieran Noema-Barnett, who missed the mid-week match with a foot injury, is still in doubt for the Final, but is part of the squad.
Their attack is led by the destructive Mathieson, and Doug Bracewell, whose aggressive style is a handful in this form of the game.
Above: Aces youngster Robbie O'Donnell with Stags skipper Kruger van Wyk.
They’ll have their work cut out to contain the powerful Aces line-up, which is stacked with hitters like Colins Munro and de Grandhomme. They also feature the Cachopa brothers, who have had a fine season individually and collectively, and will want to finish things off at home. Starting well has been an issue for the Aces through the season, and they’ll want to get off to a stronger start in the competition’s biggest match.
The match takes place at Colin Maiden Park, a move across town for the Aces due to Eden Park hosting the Auckland Nines. Entry is free and the match will be broadcast live on SKY Sport.
