Kane Williamson is set to play his first domestic game of the season for Northern Districts tomorrow in a crucial Ford Trophy clash against the Central Stags.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Black Caps' white ball captain last turned out for Northern Districts in January 2021 and features in the test squad for the two match series against England alongside fellow Northern Districts players Tim Southee and Neil Wagner later this month.
With only two rounds left in the competition, Districts will qualify for the finals with a win over the Central Stags and can top the group if they win both remaining matches.
The elimination final is scheduled for February 19 with the final two days later, both games at Sir John Davies Oval in Queenstown.
The final XI to play at Napier's McLean Park tomorrow will be determined by the wicket with the squad containing three frontline seam and spin options.
Williamson will likely slot in at his customary number three position behind openers Tim Seifert and Katene Clarke who're the sides top run scorers this season, both scoring their runs at over 100 strike rate.
Skipper Jeet Raval will follow at four in a very strong batting line up for Districts.
With the ball, seam has dominated so far in the Ford Trophy with Kristian Clarke topping the wickets in his debut season.
Blackcaps seamer Neil Wagner has also been excellent in the tournament which has included his best career List A figures of 5/31.
Meanwhile, Ford Trophy leaders the Central Stags welcome back Dane Cleaver from the Black Caps, the wicketkeeper-batsman set to face off against his first cousin Kane Williamson.
Fresh off his Dream11 Super Smash recall after an injury-enforced absence of almost four years, experienced Manawatu allrounder Bevan Small has been named in the Ford Trophy squad for the first time since November 2018.
If he makes the playing XI tomorrow, Small will play his first home Ford Trophy match since 2015.
Small has 33 matches under his belt in this format, his 47 wickets including a bag of 5/45.
Northern Districts sit in second spot on the one-day table, just two points behind the Stags which means ND could snatch the lead in this penultimate round if the visitors have the better day.
Another win to the Central Stags will see them become the first team to book tickets to the playoffs in Queenstown for the second year running, where the top three teams will slug it out for the trophy.
Tomorrow's match starts at 11am.