Finally, we have our 2023/24 one-day Finalists!
Dunedin's University of Otago Oval will play host to this Wednesday's Ford Trophy knockout between the Otago Volts and Auckland Aces, as well as Sunday's Hallyburton Johnstone Shield national Final between top qualifier the Otago Sparks and defending champion Wellington Blaze.
And this Saturday, The Ford Trophy Grand Final will be hosted by top qualifier Canterbury, at Hagley Oval!
What a race to get to this point.
The Otago Sparks needed to win both their last two rounds over the weekend to make their Final, and they also needed Wellington Blaze to lose against the bottom of the table Magicians if they were to get the top spot on the table.
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That's exactly what unfurled - with the Sparks usurping the Blaze's competition lead at the last minute, in order to snatch the coveted top qualifier position as well as knock out the Auckland Hearts.
So, the Blaze will be winging their way to Dunedin this weekend in a rematch of the 2021/22 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Grand Final - that the Sparks famously won in Queentown.
But last year, it was the Blaze celebrating and lifting the trophy in Queenstown, after having edged the Magicians for the 2022/23 crown.
So winning on the road is nothing new to the Blaze: buckle your seats for a classic national showdown this Sunday at University of Otago Oval, with the Blaze looking to add the HBJ trophy to the Dream11 Super Smash title that's already in their cabinet this summer.
The match will be livestreamed on NZC YouTube with live commentary from 10.30am, with livescoring at www.nzc.nz and on the NZC app.
Canterbury's men's side is meanwhile determined to shake off their runner-up mantle after a lengthy string of Finals appearances in both The Ford Trophy and the Dream11 Super Smash white-ball nationals without getting to lift a trophy.
After another convincing win on Sunday in the last round of the regular season - an 8-wicket victory knocking out former leader Northern Districts away, last year's Ford Trophy runner-up will now host the 2024 Grand Final at Hagley Oval this Saturday, from 10.30am.
The big match will be live on TVNZ+ and SENZ, as well as livescored on nzc.nz and on the NZC app.
Canterbury will be playing either the Auckland Aces or Otago Volts, pending the result of this Wednesday's sudden death Ford Trophy Elimination Final that will be hosted by second qualifier the Volts at University of Otago Oval in Dunedin, also from 10.30am, with a free NZC livestream and livescoring.
The Volts have enjoyed an electrifying run through the back end of their campaign while the Aces squeaked through to the eliminator in a hard fought win against ousted 2023 champions the Central Stags during Sunday's dramatic final round of the regular season,
The Aucklanders will be hungry to add The Ford Trophy title to the men's Dream11 Super Smash trophy that's in their cabinet.
The runner-up for that one? Canterbury men, again.
There'll be no second chances so it's game on. With free admission to all the Finals - it's time to get around your team and support!
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The Ford Trophy Elimination Final
University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
10.30am • Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Otago Volts (Q2) v Auckland Aces (Q3)
FREE livestream at NZC YouTube, nzc.nz and NZC app
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The Ford Trophy Grand Final
Hagley Oval, Christchurch
10.30am • Saturday, 24 February 2024
Canterbury (Q1) v Winner of Elimination Final
Live on TVNZ+ and SENZ
Livescoring at nzc.nz and NZC app
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Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Final
University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
10.30am • Sunday, 25 February 2024
Otago Sparks (Q1) v Wellington Blaze (Q2)
FREE livestream at NZC YouTube with live commentary
Livescoring at nzc.nz and NZC app
