13 Aug 2025Northern Districts (ND) will go into the 2025/26 season as defending champions, hoping to repeat last season’s success in what will be a milestone summer in New Zealand first-class cricket - the 100th season of the Plunket Shield.
The Plunket Shield was presented by Lord Plunket, the Governor General, in 1907. In its early years it was contested on a challenge basis, like rugby’s Ranfurly Shield, before becoming a first-class competition in 1921. During World War Two the competition was suspended, and between 1975 and 2009 it was set aside in favour of sponsors’ trophies - the Shell Cup, Shell Trophy, and State Championship. The Plunket Shield name was reinstated in 2009, to the delight of cricket traditionalists.
High Performance Manager Ian Sandbrook said that despite the many changes in cricket over the years, the Plunket Shield’s core value has never diminished.
“The Plunket Shield is the premier competition for men’s domestic cricket. Even amongst all the changes that cricket has seen, I know the players still value the long format the most. It is the test of skill, temperament and character that makes it attractive, and ultimately, that ability to fight as a team through all the ups and downs of a season and come out on top, which is so satisfying.”
Northern Districts joined the competition in 1956 after several years of lobbying for inclusion, despite resistance from some existing Major Associations who feared a dilution of quality. It took only seven seasons for ND to claim its first title in 1962/63, though the next came 17 years later in 1979/80, and the third in 1991/92 - shared with Central Districts - before going back-to-back with an outright win in 1992/93.
BJ Watling, Head Coach of the ND Men’s Programme and veteran of 91 Plunket Shield matches, said the competition has well and truly earned its fierce reputation.
“The Plunket Shield is a fantastic competition. It has always been fiercely contested over the years. As a player you are tested physically, mentally and tactically for long periods of time. It demands consistency in your skills and preparation. It's a tough competition to win. It’s been a great pathway for New Zealand cricket and has produced some world-class players for the BLACKCAPS at Test level - a testament to just how competitive it is.”
Since the turn of the century, ND has lifted the trophy on five occasions: 1999/00, 2006/07, 2009/10, 2011/12, and last season’s triumph. Captain Jeet Raval said the latest success was the result of sustained excellence across the summer.
“I firmly believe the Plunket Shield is among the strongest domestic cricket competitions in the world. In New Zealand, players view it as the most prestigious tournament to compete in. The Plunket Shield challenges players physically, technically, tactically, and emotionally over a demanding 32-day schedule. To win, a team must maintain consistency across all eight matches. Securing the title last year was the ultimate reward for our group.”
Sandbrook said the Shield’s rich history and rivalries are part of what makes it so special for ND.
“The Plunket Shield has a rich history littered with amazing individual and team performances, and is the foremost outlet for our competitive streak that has seen some great MA rivalries develop. We came into existence to be able to provide opportunities for our players in this competition, so the Plunket Shield will always have a special place in the heart of our teams and players.”
Today, the Plunket Shield is played as a series of 4-day matches, with points awarded for outright wins and bonus points for runs scored and wickets taken in each team’s first innings. One hundred seasons on, it remains the pinnacle of New Zealand’s domestic game - a competition that demands the very best and rewards those who can deliver it, summer after summer.
