Auckland’s domestic campaigns roll on with a crucial weekend of List A and 50-over cricket, as the HEARTS host the Central Hinds in back-to-back Hallyburton Johnstone Shield fixtures at Kennards Hire Community Oval, Eden Park on Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February, while the ACES travel south to face the Central Stags in Ford Trophy Round 7 at McLean Park, Napier on Saturday.

Both matches get underway at 10.30am, with free entry for fans at both venues.

The weekend opens with the HEARTS resuming their HBJ campaign at home, just one week after heartbreak in the Super Smash Final against the Wellington Blaze. Currently sitting third on a tightly packed HBJ table, the HEARTS know every over matters as the race for finals positions intensifies with only a couple of rounds remaining.

Despite being without two talismanic figures, Bree Illing and Brooke Halliday, through injury, the HEARTS remain well placed to press their case against the Central Hinds, backed by home conditions and a squad eager to convert Super Smash momentum into HBJ consistency.

Meanwhile in Napier, the ACES look to respond after a rain-affected defeat to Canterbury earlier in the week. The same squad will take the field against the Central Stags, focused on rebuilding momentum as the Ford Trophy heads toward its business end.

With both Auckland sides balancing resilience and ambition, the weekend shapes as a pivotal chapter in their respective campaigns, offering the HEARTS a chance to consolidate their top-three position on the HBJ ladder, and the ACES an opportunity to reset and surge toward finals contention.

Play begins at 10.30am each day, with free entry for spectators.

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Rounds 7 and 8
HEARTS vs Central Hinds
Saturday 7 February and Sunday 8 February 2026
10.30am
Kennards Hire Community Oval, Eden Park
FREE ENTRY

Ford Trophy Round 7C
entral Stags vs ACES
Saturday 7 February 2026
10.30am
McLean Park, Napier
FREE ENTRY

HEARTS unavailable due to injury: Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Eve Meachen, Jess Smith.

ACES unavailable due to injury: Simon Keene, Jock McKenzie, Jordan Sussex.

Article added: Friday 06 February 2026