The Auckland ACES return to action this Thursday, hosting Otago in Round 2 of the 2025/26 Ford Trophy. The match gets underway at 10:30am at Kennards Hire Community Oval, Eden Park, and entry is free for all fans.

This fixture carries special significance as it’s played for the Ross Dykes Memorial Trophy. Ross Dykes was one of the great servants of New Zealand cricket, remembered fondly as a wicket-keeper batsman for Auckland, a decade-long Chief Executive of Otago Cricket, a New Zealand selector, and an NZC match referee. His impact on the game and the connections he built between the two associations continue to be celebrated.

The ACES currently hold the trophy and will be determined to keep it on home turf. They head into the match full of confidence after opening their Ford Trophy campaign with a win over Northern Districts, where the bowlers combined superbly to restrict the visitors before a composed partnership between Cam Fletcher and Bevon Jacobsguided Auckland to victory.

The side will look to build on that performance and maintain their early-season momentum in front of a home crowd. With plenty of pride on the line and the memory of Ross Dykes at the heart of the occasion, it’s shaping up as a special day of cricket in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Supporters are encouraged to come down, back the boys in blue, and enjoy another day of high-quality domestic cricket in the city.

Match details:

Auckland ACES vs Otago
Ford Trophy – Round 2
Thursday 30 October, 10:30am
Kennards Hire Community Oval,Eden Park
Free entry

Squad:

Adi Ashok - Suburbs New Lynn
Sid Dixit - Cornwall
Cam Fletcher - East Coast Bays
Ryan Harrison - East Coast Bays
Bevon Jacobs - Hibiscus Coast
Harrish Kannan - Cornwall
Simon Keene - North Shore
Ben Lister - Suburbs New Lynn
Jock Mckenzie - North Shore
Jimmy Neesham - Suburbs New Lynn
Dale Phillips - Howick Pakuranga
Lachie Stackpole - Howick Pakuranga

Unavailable due to injury: Angus Olliver, Samrath Singh, Sean Solia

Article added: Wednesday 29 October 2025