New Zealand’s domestic cricket season is set to launch with a burst of one-day excitement, as the men’s Ford Trophy takes center stage on October 25, 2025, followed by the women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield on November 15. This marks the second year in a row that one-day cricket will kick off the summer, promising fans a thrilling start to the season.
Why One-Day Cricket Leads the Way
Last season, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) shook things up by reordering the men’s domestic competitions for the first time in over 20 years. The move aimed to align domestic and international schedules by format, optimize pitch conditions, and better prepare players for the demands of both white-ball and red-ball cricket. According to NZC Chief Cricket Operations Officer Catherine Campbell, the experiment was a resounding success.
“Starting with one-day cricket allowed our bowlers to gradually build their workloads, setting them up for the physical demands of the longer Plunket Shield matches later in the season,” Campbell explained. “It also created a better balance between bat and ball, with early-season pitches favoring bowlers and later conditions suiting batters.”
This strategic scheduling also syncs with international tours, with the Ford Trophy overlapping England’s white-ball series in New Zealand and the Plunket Shield leading into the West Indies Test series. The result? A seamless flow for players transitioning between domestic and international duties.
WHITE FERNS Return with World Cup Momentum
The women’s Hallyburton Johnstone Shield will benefit from the return of New Zealand’s WHITE FERNS, fresh off competing in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. Campbell is excited about the boost this will bring to the domestic competition. “We expect many of our WHITE FERNS to feature in the HBJ Shield, bringing world-class experience and form,” she said.
Adding to the excitement, a North v South series in the lead-up to Christmas will provide players a chance to showcase their skills before diving into the high-energy Dream11 Super Smash T20 competition. This sets the stage for a fiercely competitive domestic season.
Historic Title Defenses and Grand Finals
The Otago Sparks women and Canterbury men are chasing history as they aim for a third consecutive one-day title. The Sparks, who have bested the Wellington Blaze and Auckland Hearts in recent finals, will open their campaign at home against the Auckland Hearts at University of Otago Oval. Meanwhile, Canterbury’s men, fresh off back-to-back triumphs over Auckland, will face the Otago Volts at Hagley Oval.
The season will culminate in a thrilling finals weekend at Wellington’s Cello Basin Reserve, with the men’s Eliminator on February 20, the women’s Grand Final on February 21, and the men’s Grand Final on February 22. Fans can expect edge-of-the-seat action as teams battle for one-day supremacy.
Nationwide Venues and Schedule Highlights
Cricket fans across New Zealand will have plenty of opportunities to catch live action, with 14 venues hosting one-day matches, from Queens Park in Invercargill to Cobham Oval in Whangārei. The season will pause mid-summer for the Plunket Shield and Dream11 Super Smash, with schedules for these competitions set to be announced on August 13 and August 18, respectively.
Why This Season Matters
The 2025 domestic cricket season is more than just a series of matches—it’s a showcase of New Zealand’s cricketing depth, strategic innovation, and commitment to player development. With optimized schedules, world-class talent, and historic title chases, the Ford Trophy and Hallyburton Johnstone Shield are must-watch events for cricket fans.
