The annual NZC Men's Under 17 National tournament gets underway tomorrow in Lincoln, with Northern Districts heading in as defending champion.
Northern Districts was very impressive when they won the title undefeated last summer, chalking up six consecutive wins in the biggest fortnight of the year for this age-group.
It was also ND's first trophy at this level in 20 years!
The Under 17 Nationals are this year distinct from the Gillette Men's and Gillette Venus Women's Under 19 nationals - both of those titles having been won by Auckland.
The focus at Under 19 level is on one-day and T20 cricket - providing a logical pathway to the ICC Under 19 World Cups, played in the white-ball one-day format.
At Under 17 level, however, there's an exciting opportunity for younger players to discover and test themselves in two-dayers, as well as one-day cricket - with a rest day between each of the opening two-day rounds to recover.
Defending champion ND will be up against Otago in the first two-day game tomorrow on Lincoln No.3, with Canterbury playing Wellington on Bert Sutcliffe Oval and CD taking on Auckland on Lincoln Green.
It's the first of two rounds of two-day cricket before the teams all switch to limited overs next Wednesday 24 January, with the last round the following day.
All the action is scored on the NZC app and at www.nzc.nz with matches on Bert Sutcliffe Oval also livestreamed.
NZC Men's Under 17 National Tournament
The final standings last season (2022/23)
Northern Districts 28
Auckland 15, Wellington 15
Otago 14
Canterbury 9
Central Districts 4
