HAWKE CUP CHALLENGE MATCHES
Since 1910, the Hawke Cup had been the most treasured prize in New Zealand provincial cricket
Contested on a challenge basis against the current Hawke Cup holder, to earn the right to a Challenge, a province must first become the top qualifier in its Zone for the season
New Zealand is divided into four zones:
- Zone 1 covers the upper North Island provinces
- Zone 2 is the lower half of the North Island
- Zone 3 is the upper South Island provinces (extending to Canterbury Country and the West Coast)
- Zone 4 the lower South Island - home of the original Hawke Cup holder, Southland
To win the Hawke Cup, the Challenger must defeat the holder outright or, if there is not an outright result, on the first innings, at the Holder's home ground
Matches are played as three-day red-ball contests, traditionally beginning on a Friday, and scheduled a fortnight apart, from January to March each season
Hawke Cup matches do not have first-class status, but are a unique and special part of the New Zealand Cricket landscape
For many District cricketers, playing in a Hawke Cup Challenge is the pinnacle
2023/24
The season began with a rescheduled Zone 2 Challenge from Hawke's Bay against Canterbury Country, which was postponed from the previous summer due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. Hawke's Bay not only uplifted the Hawke Cup in the rescheduled fixture, but went on to resist all four Challenges of the 'regular' Hawke Cup Challenge season, and will be the host in Napier when the first Challenge of 2024/25 is made in January 2025, with next season's Challengers to be determined by the zonal qualifying competitions.
- Hawke Cup Zone 2 Challenge Match [2022/23 season]
10-12 November 2023, Mainpower Oval, Rangiora
Holder Canterbury Country lost to Challenger Hawke's Bay on the first innings
The 'regular' Hawke Cup programme then began for 2023/24, with Hawke's Bay as the new Holder.
Hawke Cup Zone 2 Challenge Match [2023/24 season]
26-28 January 2024, Nelson Park, Napier
Holder Hawke's Bay defeated Challenger Manawatū on the first innings
Hawke Cup Zone 1 Challenge Match
9-11 February 2024, Nelson Park, Napier
Holder Hawke's Bay defeated Challenger Counties Manukau on the first innings
Hawke Cup Zone 3 Challenge Match
23-25 February 2024, Nelson Park, Napier
Holder Hawke's Bay defeated Challenger Canterbury Country on the first innings
Hawke Cup Zone 4 Challenge Match
8-11 March 2024, Nelson Park, Napier
Hawke's Bay defeated Zone 4 Challenger South Canterbury by eight wickets
