Auckland Cricket has confirmed the final contracted players for the 2025/26 season, with two names at very different stages of their careers completing the ACES and HEARTS lists.

North Shore Cricket Club’s Emily Handyside has earned her first domestic contract following a breakout 2024/25 club season, where she was awarded the Katie Perkins Cup for Players’ Player of the Year at the Auckland Cricket Awards.

She joins teammates Rishika Jaswal and Jess Smith in securing contracts, underlining a standout year for the Devonport-based club.

“I’m incredibly excited and honoured to be receiving my first HEARTS contract,” said Handyside.

“I’d like to thank my family, partner, friends and coaches for their unconditional and unwavering support. I’m really looking forward to being part of this group and continuing to grow both on and off the field.”

The ACES’ contract list for 2025/26 has been finalised with experienced batter Will O’Donnell, who enters his eighth season representing Auckland.

“It’s great to have our respective squads finalised and it feels like summer us almost upon us with the pre-season getting underway in a few weeks, and a full quota of home matches on the Outer Oval,” says Evan Jones, Auckland Cricket’s GM Performance & Talent.

Both sides will begin their domestic campaigns with the 50-over competitions.

• The ACES open their Ford Trophy season against Northern Districts at Kennards Hire Community Oval, Eden Park, on 25 October.
• The HEARTS start their Hallyburton Johnstone Shield campaign against the Otago Sparks in Dunedin on 15 November.

Auckland ACES 2025/26
 

Auckland HEARTS 2025/26
 

Article added: Friday 22 August 2025