🟡⚫️SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki Men ⚫️🟡
Taranaki Cricket is pleased to announce its 22-player Whitaker Civil Engineering Taranaki Men’s squad for the 2026/27 Furlong Cup and Hawke Cup campaign.
The squad, which will be shooting for a chance to win back the coveted Hawke Cup crown it relinquished last season, sees Shay Smith and Jarrod Ritson return to bolster the bowling attack, while Sebastian Lauderdale-Smith adds further strength to the batting order.
There are some big shoes to be filled too, with players like centurion Mattie Thomas and gun paceman Ryan Watson having signalled their retirements last season and wicketkeeper/batter Rupert Young having moved away from the province. Top middle-order batsman Trent McGrath has also stepped down from the team this year.
Talented Marist batter Chester Oldfield earns a maiden call-up to the Hawke Cup squad following a strong period of development and performance.
The squad also welcomes four Development Players into the Taranaki environment. NPBHS youngsters Cohen Riddick and Charlie Broadmore, alongside Woodleigh batter Jamie Ingram and Stratford wicketkeeper-batter Stirling Monk, have earned their opportunity to train and develop within the senior squad environment.
The Development Player pathway provides the opportunity to train alongside the senior group, attend squad and morning sessions, learn from experienced teammates and put themselves in contention for opportunities throughout the season.
That pathway is already showing its value, with Lucas Vassiliou and Asher Ryan earning their place in the squad after both previously coming through the Development Player programme in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 seasons.
Black Cap Will Young and Central Districts Stag Tom Bruce bring further experience to the group as Taranaki prepares for the 2026/27 campaign.

With the Hawke Cup spending the winter at Canterbury Country headquarters in Rangiora, the Zone 2 Challenge, contested by the winner of The Furlong Cup is not until late-February, which means the bulk of the games this year are post-Christmas.

The team will head to Paraparaumu and Masterton for away matches and host Manawatū, Whanganui and Hawkes Bay.

A separate squad will be announced for the Chapple Cup T20 tournament being hosted in Palmerston North this year in late-November.

Taranaki Cricket congratulates all players selected and looks forward to an exciting 2026/27 season ahead. ... See MoreSee Less

🏏 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐇 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘 𝐇𝐔𝐁𝐒 – 𝐀 𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐂𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑! 💥

Have you registered your tamariki for Smash Play yet?

Our FREE junior cricket hubs are coming up across Taranaki, giving Year 1–4 kids the chance to get involved, learn some new skills and have fun playing cricket! 🙌

📍 New Plymouth, Inglewood, Stratford & Opunake
🏏 FREE for Years 1–4
📅 4-week programmes starting in November

Whether they’re brand new to cricket or already love the game, Smash Play is a great way to get involved this summer!

👉 Check out the graphics for your nearest hub’s dates and times, and register here:

🔗 www.taranakicricket.co.nz/programme/taranaki-smash-play-2025-26/

Get involved and spread the word! 💜🏏 ... See MoreSee Less

THE COPELIN CUP IS BACK! 🔥🏏

See below the schedule as the Bartercard Taranaki Women's team begin their campaign on Sunday 8th November against Manawatu!

All the best for your season girls... be sure to check in here for regular updates throughout the season.

🟡⚫️🟡 ... See MoreSee Less

🥉 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃 𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐙𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐀! 🇳🇿

A huge congratulations to Ella, who recently represented the NZ U16 Girls at the Junior Indoor Cricket World Series in South Africa, helping the team secure a bronze medal! 🏏

Ella was a strong performer throughout the series, with some impressive highlights along the way:

🔥 Hattrick heroics on Day 1 against South Africa, helping NZ to a convincing 118–64 win.

💥 Big hitting against Australia, the strongest side in the division, scoring a tournament-high 19 runs at a strike rate of 127.

🧤 Behind the stumps, making valuable contributions as wicketkeeper and taking a number of wickets throughout the tournament.

An incredible achievement and experience for Ella, who is hugely grateful to have had the opportunity to represent New Zealand on the world stage. 🌍

Well done, Ella! 👏🇳🇿 ... See MoreSee Less