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FIRST PLUNKET SHIELD FIXTURE TO BE PLAYED AT THE BAY OVAL THIS WEEK

One of the oldest sporting trophies in New Zealand will be contested at the Bay Oval at Blake Park, Mount Maunganui on the first four days of April 2015.

The Northern Knights, will square off with the Canterbury Wizards in a Plunket Shield four-day encounter that kicks off on Wednesday (1 April 2015). This is the first time that a Plunket Shield match has been played at the Bay Oval.

The Plunket Shield, was presented to the New Zealand Cricket Association in 1906 by Baron Plunket, who was the Governor-General of New Zealand at the time. In the early years, the trophy was competed for by the provincial association sides of Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago and on two occasions Hawkes Bay.

While Hawkes Bay lost its Major Association status, the (then) newly formed Central Districts and Northern Districts joined the Plunket Shield competition in 1950/51 and 1956/57 seasons respectively.

During the 1970’s, the NZ Cricket Major Association four-day competition underwent a name change, to reflect commercial sponsors association with the competition. The NZ Cricket first class competition continued under sponsor’s names until 2009.

In the 2009/10 season the Plunket Shield was re-introduced as the prize at stake in the four-day competition. A change of format saw a two round competition introduced, with the winner being the team first past the post at the end of two rounds of round robin play.

Going into the last round of the Plunket Shield, the Northern Knights sit just of the pace in third place. However an outright victory over the Canterbury Wizards, who lead the competition, would give the ND team a good shot at taking out the 2014/15 Plunket Shield competition.

Plunket Shield – 1/ 4 April 2015 @ Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui – 10.30am start
Sky City Northern Knights v Canterbury Wizards

Plunket Shield Points
Canterbury Wizards 107, Auckland Aces 97, Northern Knights 94, Otago Volts 92, Wellington Firebirds 89, Central Stags 63.