The first Central Stags Plunket Shield squad of the season has been named, and it includes two uncapped players.

When the Stags open their 2025/26 first-class season in Palmerston North tomorrow, they are guaranteed to have at least one player on debut — with big, teenage bolter Oscar Mabin and prolific top order batter Taylor Bettelheim both selected in a Stags squad the first time.

Whanganui rep Mabin, 19, is fresh off his first Central Districts A match in which he contributed with both bat and ball, while Hawke’s Bay’s Bettelheim starred for Wairarapa last season in a summer in which the District won CD’s Chapple Cup for the first time.

The Stags are playing the Auckland Aces from 10.30am tomorrow at the place where the 1950/51 edition of the team played their very first home game, Fitzherbert Park — the team now celebrating its 75th jubilee season.

Retired skipper, now Head Coach Greg Hay is fired up for his favourite format and oversees a strong squad, despite the raft of preseason injuries.

Doug Bracewell, Joey Field, Brett Randell, Curtis Heaphy and Toby Findlay have all been ruled out, paving the way for Bettelheim and Mabin’s elevation after strong performances in last week’s three-day Central Districts A game against Northern Districts A in Napier.

Bettelheim scored 90 and Central Districts Cricket high performance manager Dave Meiring said the 24-year-old right-hander has been knocking at the door consistently.“

Taylor has been delivering for us at CD A level for the past three seasons and thoroughly deserves his opportunity to gain selection into the Stags for the first time,” said Meiring.

"He has put runs on the board which is what you want from those outside the Stags’ squad, and we’ve felt that he has been ready for an opportunity for a little while, so it’s great to see that come to fruition. 

TAYLOR BETTELHEIM | MButcher

“He’s a very organised player who knows his own game, and we’re excited to see how that transfers into Domestic cricket.”

Mabin, a six-foot-four, strongly built right-armer, has come through the CD pathway system where he starred for Whanganui Collegiate and CD U19. 

He scored 55 off just 46 balls in the lower order against a strong ND A team last week at Nelson Park, as well as contributing with his tight pace.

“Oscar’s a highly talented player who is a work in progress, but has shown an X-factor when representing CD at U19 level over the past two seasons,” Meiring explained.

“He has all the attributes to be a quality cricketer in time, and this opportunity has come a little earlier than we would have anticipated — but we are happy to be selecting a guy in form though who performed well for the CD A side on debut, and we know won’t be overawed by the occasion. 

“It will be exciting to see how he goes with ball and bat if he’s selected in tomorrow’s playing XI.”

Head coach GREG HAY | MButcher

The toss is set for 10am in Palmerston North for a scheduled 10.30am start for the first of the eight-round national championship, with the Stags coming off a good start to the summer halfway through the one-day Ford Trophy campaign.

Livescores and a free livestream are available at cdcricket.co.nz as CD’s 75th Jubilee season continues at pace, the Central Hinds also coming off a top start to the season after their twin wins at Pukekura Park in the first two rounds of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield over the weekend.

The Hinds are second on the table, just one point behind the Auckland Hearts, with Wairarapa’s Lizzie Cohr stepping up from CD A Women to make a fine debut on Sunday — the 23-year-old spinner taking a wicket with her first ball and claiming 4/35 in a 27-run win against the Canterbury Magicians, after the team had taken a high-scoring one-wicket thriller with just two balls to spare on the previous day against the same team.

 

 

2025/26 PLUNKET SHIELD

ROUND ONE

Central Stags v Auckland Aces

10.30am | Tuesday 18-Friday 21 November 2025

Fitzherbert Park • Palmerston North

FREE ADMISSION   

TOM Bruce, captain - Taranaki 

TYLER Annand - Hawke's Bay

TAYLOR Bettelheim (uncapped) - Hawke's Bay

WILL Clark - Hawke's Bay

JOSH Clarkson - Nelson

DANE Cleaver - wicketkeeper, Manawatū

DEAN Foxcroft - Hawke’s Bay

JAYDEN Lennox - Hawke’s Bay

OSCAR Mabin (uncapped) - Whanganui

AJAZ Patel - Hawke's Bay

BRAD Schmulian - Hawke's Bay

RAY Toole - Manawatū  

Head Coach: GREG Hay

Assistant Coach: ALDIN Smith 

Contracted players unavailable for selection

Will Young, Blair Tickner (BLACKCAPS ODI Series v West Indies)

Injured: Doug Bracewell, Joey Field, Brett Randell, Curtis Heaphy, Toby Findlay

Article added: Monday 17 November 2025