The Auckland ACES begin their 2025-26 Plunket Shield campaign on Tuesday as they travel to Palmerston North for a four day clash with the Central Stags at Fitzherbert Park.

A landmark summer awaits, with this year marking the 100th season of the Plunket Shield - a competition Auckland has historically dominated, lifting the trophy 24 times, the most of any major association.

The ACES head into red-ball cricket with confidence after their recent Ford Trophy win over the Wellington Firebirds, a result that moved them to second on the one-day table. The squad remains largely settled from that victory, with only Harjot Johal coming in for Jaskaran Sandhu.

Wicketkeeper-batter Cam Fletcher also arrives in strong touch, fresh off a composed century in Wellington. Fletcher was instrumental in several gritty draws last season, belligerently refusing to give his wicket away as he produced a string of match-saving innings. The ACES will again lean on his cool head and discipline as they return to the longer format.

The ACES take on the Central Stags in Round 1 of the Plunket Shield at Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North, with play beginning at 10:30am on Tuesday 18 November. Free entry and streamed live on NZ Cricket's YouTube channel.

Match details:
Central Stags vs Auckland ACES
Plunket Shield – Round 1
Tues 18 - Fri 21 November, 10:30 am
Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North
Free entry

Auckland ACES squad:

Adi Ashok - Suburbs New Lynn
Cam Fletcher - Suburbs New Lynn
Rohit Gulati - Papatoetoe
Ryan Harrison - East Coast Bays
Bevon Jacobs - Hibiscus Coast
Harjot Johal - Eden Roskill
Harrish Kannan - Cornwall
Simon Keene - North Shore
Jock McKenzie - North Shore
Dale Phillips - Howick Pakuranga
Sean Solia - Suburbs New Lynn
Lachie Stackpole - Howick Pakuranga

Unavailable due to injury: Ben Lister, Angus Olliver, Samrath Singh, Jordan Sussex.

Article added: Monday 17 November 2025