Summer is just around the corner in New Zealand, meaning domestic ODI cricket is back in the form of the Ford Trophy. New Zealand’s annual first-class cricket competition features six teams from across the country competing in an intense format.
In less than three months, a packed schedule will see 32 different 50-over matches played to determine a winner for the 2022-23 season. Last year’s champions, Auckland, will be hoping they can defend their title, while Central Districts will be out for revenge, having finished their season as beaten finalists in 2021-22.
We look ahead at the favorites for this season, breaking down all the information you need to know to start betting on the Ford Trophy 2022/23 and choosing a final winner.
| Tournament: | The Ford Trophy, New Zealand’s domestic cricket event, ODI format |
| Venues: | Stadiums across New Zealand (Finals location TBC) |
| Group Stage Dates: | Tuesday 22 November 2022 to Tuesday 14 February 2023 |
| Playoffs Dates: | Elimination Final Saturday 18 February, Grand Final Monday 20 February |
The outright winner odds for the Ford Trophy have not been released yet. However, those that want to bet on the Ford Trophy match this Tuesday can consider the following favorites heading into this season:
When cricket bookies in New Zealand post their outright winner odds for this competition, chances are these will be the three teams leading in the cricket betting apps. Each is strong for various reasons, bringing recent form as well as squad changes across the off-season.
Many sportsIn-play modeLive streamingWelcome offersLive streamingMany bonuses25+ sportsSuperb bonusesEasy to useVIP programLive gamesMany bonusesMany bonuses24/7 supportMobile appsFor over 50 years, the Ford Trophy (and its different sponsor name iterations) has been the premier domestic ODI competition in New Zealand.
Since launching in 1971/72, the tournament has gone through various formats but, in recent years, has settled on the current structure. Six teams will complete a total of 32 matches over three months from November 2022 to February 2023, with 30 round-robin matches consisting of home and away fixtures against each other team. Two playoff games will then occur, with the second and third-ranked teams competing in an Elimination Final and the winner meeting the first-placed team in the Grand Final.
Traditionally, Canterbury and Auckland have dominated the event, with 28 wins between the two sides. Over the last five years, here’s which side has won the tournament and will lead the odds for The Ford Trophy victory once more:
Auckland are the defending champions and will be searching for consistency, having not defended a Ford Trophy title since 1983-84.
Looking ahead to the next three months of New Zealand domestic cricket, each team has put together a strong squad for the 2022-23 season. We look at the strengths and weaknesses of each squad, understanding their history and form heading into the 2022-23 Ford Trophy.
Canterbury head into this season as a mixed bag. On the one hand, they are the best-performing region in this competition’s history, having won the Ford Trophy 18 times since its inception in 1971-72. On the other hand, they’re coming off an abysmal season in 2021-22, which saw the team finish last on the ladder with one win from ten games.
Here’s how they’ve gone over the past five seasons:
This season, Canterbury will be hoping for a much better performance, and so live betting odds shouldn’t be high. Captained by Cole McConchie, and with international-level players such as Henry Nicholls, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Latham, Ish Sodhi, and Matt Henry in the side, the 18-time champions are much better placed to make a title run this year.
Look out for their fixture against arch-rival Auckland on Sunday, 4 December.
The stable Auckland team head into this season with a target on their backs, having scraped their way into last year’s Grand Final, upsetting Central Districts for the title.
They are the second most successful team in Ford Trophy history, having won the title 15 times, including three of the last five seasons. Here’s a look at how Auckland have performed across these last five years:
Auckland have always struggled to back up their championship-winning seasons and have been unable to win consecutive seasons since the early 1980s. This year, they have a healthy-looking squad with some big names such as Mark Chapman, Martin Guptill, Kyle Jamieson, Lockie Ferguson, and William Somerville in the squad.
Expect the defending champions to have a fiery rematch of last season’s Grand Final on Monday, 12 December, when they host Central Districts. The odds for this clash should be very attractive.
Wellington will be out for revenge when heading into the 2022/23 Ford Trophy.
Last season, they missed out on a place in the playoffs by 0.012 in net run rate. The Firebirds will be determined not to have the same happen this year and are eager to rekindle the winning ways that have seen them claim the tournament silverware on eight occasions.
Here’s how Wellington’s last five seasons have unfolded:
Ahead of this week’s play, Wellington have announced a well-rounded squad. Key players will be Devon Conway, Michael Bracewell, Rachin Ravindra, Finn Allen, Adam Milne, and Tom Blundell, who have all represented New Zealand in the past and will be available for Wellington’s first fixture on Tuesday, 22 November.
Despite the odds, Wellington will likely have their eye on taking down Auckland this year, given the nature of their elimination last season. Expect their clash on January 25 to be a fiery one.
It’s been 13 years since Northern Districts last won a title in the Ford Trophy, and they will be hoping that the changes they’ve made to their squad in the off-season help put an end to that. However, the odds for Nothern Districts to claim a title are pretty high, showing their slim chances, typical underdogs at events like the Cricket World Cup.
Kane Williamson is the consistent figure for Northern Districts when he’s available for play. Given his international commitments, it’s a rarity to see Williamson donning the green shirt. However, other big names such as Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Seifert, Mitchell Santner, and Scott Kuggeleijn should get more game time for Northern Districts.
Over the past five years, Northern Districts have had middling performances:
The side will be desperate to break away from mediocrity this season. They’ve done it before and have won the Ford Trophy seven times before – things need to change from the past decade, however, if that’s going to happen in 2022-23.
If any side will head into this season with fire in their bellies, it’s Central District.
They were the form team of the 2021-22 Ford Trophy, finishing eight points clear of second-placed Auckland with an impressive net run rate of 2.925. And yet, the side stumbled in the Grand Final, being bowled out for 213, which Auckland chased down quickly to win by eight wickets.
However, this was Central District’s best result in the past five years, with the last of their six titles coming in 2015-16. Here’s how they’ve gone since 2017:
The last time Central Districts lost a Grand Final, they headed into three years of mediocrity. They’ll be hoping that doesn’t happen again, and with the likes of Will Young, Doug Bracewell, Ajaz Patel, and Blair Tickner on their side this year, they should be competitive. The odds by legal bookies for Central Districts to finish in the playoff zone should be pretty low.
Last but not least, Otago are the great underdogs of the Ford Trophy, having only won the tournament twice in 50 years.
Over the past five years, they’ve been mercurial, with their results reading:
The Men in Blue will be hoping to rekindle their form of 2018-2020, which saw them make two Grand Final runs. Ex-international players such as Hamish Rutherford, Michael Rippon, and Jacob Duffy should help. Still, the reality is Otago are much lighter on big names than some of the other teams in this tournament. Instead, Volts will be relying on what’s worked well in the past, which is an all-round team performance that sees them make a deep run.
Fans will be excited for the all-Southern derby match on Wednesday, 14 December, when Otago takes on big brother Canterbury in Christchurch. The odds will be against Volts, but everything can happen in the derby.
Based on our analysis of the upcoming Ford Trophy 22-23 fixtures & results, here’s how we see the Group Stage playing out:
| Participating Teams | Predicted Place |
|---|---|
| Auckland Aces | First |
| Central Stags | Second |
| Canterbury Kings | Third |
| Wellington Firebirds | Fourth |
| Northern Districts | Fifth |
| Otago Volts | Sixth |
Without outright winner odds available yet for the 2022-23 season, here are our favorites heading into the first game of the season on Tuesday:
Our Group Stage predictions would see Auckland move straight through to the Grand Final while Central Districts and Canterbury play in the Elimination Final.
Though online cricket betting would likely favor Central Districts, we predict a Canterbury upset here that will complete a strong comeback season. However, chances are the men in Red, and Black will fall at the final hurdle, handing Auckland victory in the Grand Final.
If our predictions are correct, then be sure to live stream some matches because the 2022-23 Ford Trophy season will be historic, with Auckland defending a title for the first time in 40 years.
Odds are out for the first games of the Ford Trophy 2022-23. The first featured game between Wellington and Canterbury starts at 1:00 AM EST on Tuesday, 22 November.
Here’s how the bookies have this game:
Considering our review, the Kings should start from a victory here if really want to pretend for the title. The season starts off with a cracking match between two of this year’s contenders, and bookmakers have it dead even at 1.85 (5/6) each way. The best bet to take on this clash would be on top run scorers, where Wellington Rachin Ravindra is paying 4.00 (3/1) to top score, while Tom Latham is also at 4.00 (3/1) for Canterbury.
The game with a clear home-side favorite and a team that rarely pretends for high places. Still, the bookies came with pretty high odds for the clash, as it’s hard to predict the form of the sides now:
It looks like an easy bet with a definite favorite in the face of the Aces. But if you aren’t sure about their recent physical conditions, it’s better to watch the first game and place a bet on the further matches.
Another game with a clear favorite and underdog, but this time with higher chances for the visiting team. Even great new bookmakers don’t believe in the success of the hosting side and came up with the following odds:
The situation is similar to the previous matchup, where the underdogs can only hope for a surprise in the opening duel. Still, it’s a nice chance to raise some cash betting on Central Districts.
The impact of New Zealand cannot be underestimated, and the tournaments like the Ford Trophy only confirm the rule. Six teams with NZ internationals in their squads always come with intriguing and unpredictable clashes, which will last for more than two months.
Compared to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2022 in India and dozens of matches simultaneously played there, this one comes with spread portions of top ODI cricket that can be followed live. And the joy of watching The Fort Trophy games can be facilitated by smart bettings, and we’ll be happy to assist you with our professional tips and predictions.
