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The Plunket Shield: The 50-over Ford Trophy will kickstart New Zealand’s 2024/25 domestic cricket season for the first time since 2018. The move to start Ford Trophy from October 20 breaks a six-year tradition of starting the proceedings with the first-class Plunket Shield competition.

The Plunket Shield will instead start on November 11, with the first four rounds to be played in the lead-up to, and during New Zealand’s three-match Test series against England. In total, 14 venues will host domestic cricket across the three competitions this season, from Cobham Oval in Northland to Queen’s Park in Southland.

Defending champions Canterbury will start the Ford Trophy in an away game at Wellington on October 20. The Wellington Firebirds will begin their Plunket Shield title defence against the Auckland Aces at the Basin Reserve on November 11.