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Central Districts 303 for 4 (Young 157, Heaphy 105, Sheat 2-38) beat Canterbury 302 for 7 (Nicholls 115, Latham 80, Clarkson 2-44, Toole 2-65) by six wickets
Canterbury captain Henry Nicholls posted his fourth century in the 2025-26 Ford Trophy, putting his side on the path to 302 for 7, but it ended in vain, with CD knocking off the target with six wickets and 13 balls to spare.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Nicholls reached his first fifty off 49 balls and then when he converted it into a 112-ball hundred, he drew level with former Auckland Aces batter George Worker for the most Ford Trophy centuries in one summer (four).
Nicholls found great support from fellow Black Cap Tom Latham, who made 80 off 86 balls, after Canterbury had lost Chad Bowes in the third over to allrounder Josh Clarkson.
Young and Heaphy then upstaged Nicholls and Latham, turning what could have been a challenging chase into a cruise. They came together at 19 for 1 in the fourth over and could not be separated until the 43rd. By then, Canterbury had passed 275 and had one hand on the trophy. Soon after, they got both their hands on the trophy after Dean Foxcroft tapped the ball to mid-on in the 48th over, in the company of Clarkson, who had set up the final for CD with the opening wicket of Bowes.
The Young-Heaphy stand formed the centrepiece of the chase. While Young scored a List A career-best 157 off 132 balls, Heaphy showed the potential to become a future Black Cap during his 105 off 124 balls.
Heaphy had emerged as the highest run-getter in the 2024-25 Ford Trophy and has also had a stint with the New Zealand A teams. He had also contributed handsomely to CD’s first T20 win outside of New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten 50 off 38 balls against Hobart Hurricanes in the Global Super League in spin-friendly Guyana last year.
On Sunday, Heaphy put in a big shift: after keeping wicket for 50 overs, he came out to open the batting and played on for almost 43 overs. Heaphy was not supposed to keep wicket for this final, but after Dane Cleaver was sidelined with a back complaint, Heaphy fronted up for double duty.
After stepping in behind the stumps, Heaphy showed no signs of fatigue in front of it, often shimmying out of the crease to disrupt the lengths and lines of Canterbury’s attack. At the other end, Young unfurled some delightful drives and flicks. He was particularly severe on rookie spinner Raunaq Kapur, who has played international cricket for Hong Kong in the past, taking him for 36 off 19 balls. He moved from 144 to 150 with a brace of fours and although both Heaphy and Young fell late in the piece, CD’s win was never in doubt.
“It’s kind of what dreams [are made] of. It’s awesome,” Heaphy said. “Lovely to be able to bat with him [Young] and someone with that sort of experience and help guide us through a chase essentially. He made my job easier and it was nice to contribute in a final.”
Young delivered a glowing appraisal of Heaphy’s progress. “Curty turned up against Canterbury in Nelson and then he saved his runs for the final here in Wellington,” Young said. “He’s learning his craft, he’s seriously good at occupying the crease and he’s starting to put the pressure back on bowlers and when he does that, he’s a hell of a player. He showed what he can do today. Very proud of Curty.”
This was the last assignment for Canterbury coach Peter Fulton after his association granted him an early release from his coaching contract. Fulton will now join Middlesex as their head coach on a three-year contract ahead of the 2026 season.
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