Central Hinds

The Central Districts Cricket Association comprises eight District associations: Hawke's Bay, Horowhenua-Kapiti, Manawatu, Taranaki, Wairarapa and Wanganui in the North Island, and Marlborough and Nelson in the South Island.[1]

Central Districts joined the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield for the 1979–80 season and finished fourth with one win and three draws.[2] In 1982–83, they finished second for the first time, behind Canterbury, who dominated the period.[3]

Central Districts won their first title in 2005–06 (when the one-day competition was named the State League), finishing second in the group stage before beating Canterbury in the final, helped by three wickets from Zara McWilliams and 55* from Sara McGlashan.[4][5] They were runners-up in 2007–08 before winning their second one-day competition in 2009–10, with the final rained-off and therefore winning the title as they had topped the group stage.[6][7] They also won their only Super Smash title the same season, beating Auckland in the final by eight wickets.[8]

Central Districts won their third one-day title in 2018–19, topping the group stage before beating Auckland in the final.[9] Central Districts batter Natalie Dodd was the leading run-scorer in the competition, with 652 runs.[10]

Central Districts' first primary home ground was Manawaroa Park, Palmerston North, with some matches played at Ongley Park in the same city.[11]

In the 1990s, the side began playing at Victoria Park, Whanganui, as well as Fitzherbert Park in Palmerston North. In 1998, Central Districts began playing in Napier, especially at Nelson Park, but also later at McLean Park. From the 2000s, their primary grounds were Pukekura Park, New Plymouth and Fitzherbert Park, along with stints at grounds such as Queen Elizabeth Park and Cornwall Park, Hastings. In 2020–21, Central Districts primarily used Pukekura Park, as well as McLean Park for two matches with Super Smash matches being played as double-headers with the men's team, the Central Stags for the third consecutive season.

In 2021–22, the side used Saxton Oval, Nelson for the first time, as well as returning to Donnelly Park, McLean Park and Fitzherbert Park. In 2022–23, the side continued to use Saxton Oval and Fitzherbert Park, as well as Pukekura Park.[11][12][13]

• Head coach: Jamie Watkins[14]

• Hallyburton Johnstone Shield:
  • Winners (3): 2005–06, 2009–10, 2018–19
• Women's Super Smash:
  • Winners (1): 2009–10

• Central Districts cricket team