In a much-needed turnaround, Central stages registered their first win of the 2025 Global Super League season by defeating Hobart Hurricanes by 16 runs at Providence Stadium. After two losses, the Stags showed far more intent with the bat and followed it up with disciplined bowling to get off the mark on the points table.

Central stages Innings

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Central Stags managed 167/4 in 20 overs, with a strong contribution from captain Tom Bruce, who scored 62 off 36 balls, leading the way. Opener Curtis Heaphy helped steady the innings with a 50 off 38 balls. And Will Young added a brisk 24 off 18 to push the momentum. The Hurricanes bowlers shared the wickets evenly, with Billy Stanlake (1/20) being the most economical, while Odean Smith and Usama Mir picked one wicket apiece.

Hobart Hurricanes Innings

Chasing 168 for victory, the Hobart Hurricanes fell short despite late fireworks from the middle order. They're all out at 151/8 off 20 overs; Mohammad Nabi is the top scorer with 43 off 25 balls, and Fabian Allen smashed an aggressive 36 off 16. However, early setbacks and tight bowling made the difference. Ajaz Patel was the pick of the bowlers for Central stages with 2/18 off 4 overs, while Blair Tickner (2/34) and Dean Foxcroft (1/5 off 1 over) wrapped up the innings in style.

See Also: GSL 2025: Points Table, Leading run scorers and wicket takers after CS vs HBH match 7

Central stages vs Hobart Hurricanes: Match Scorecard

Central stages – 167/4 (20 Overs)

Hobart Hurricanes – 151/8 (20 Overs)

The Central Stags are ready for the 2025 Global Super League, with a well-balanced and experienced team headed to Guyana for the tournament that begins July 10. With a solid lineup and some quality young players, the New Zealand-based team appears set to leave its imprint on this year's tournament.

Leading the Stags is seasoned campaigner Tom Bruce. An attacking batsman and a leader, Bruce has been a consistent performer in New Zealand's domestic competition and will provide experience and calm to the team. He will be joined by a number of faces familiar from the Super Smash and domestic games.

The team has a combination of all-rounders, pacers, and specialist spinners. Doug Bracewell, Blair Tickner, and Ajaz Patel contribute their international experience, while the emerging stars in the team include Matthew Forde and Dean Foxcroft, providing a new energy. Wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Cleaver provides depth to the batting lineup and solidity behind the stumps.

See Also: Global Super League 2025: Full list of players and captain for Dubai Capitals

Central Stags Team for Global Super League 2025

• Tom Bruce (Captain)
  
• Doug Bracewell
  
• Will Clark
  
• Josh Clarkson
  
• Dane Cleaver (Wicketkeeper)
  
• Toby Findlay
  
• Matthew Forde
  
• Dean Foxcroft
  
• Jayden Lennox
  
• Ajaz Patel
  
• Angus Shaw
  
• Blair Tickner
  
• Will Young
  

With this strong unit, the Central Stags will target an ultimate victory in the 2025 Global Super League. They kick off their campaign against the Dubai Capitals on July 10 in a promising opening match for the competition.

The 2025 edition of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) is set to take place from 10 to 18 July at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence, featuring five elite T20 franchises from around the world. With 11 competitive matches on the schedule, the GSL 2025 promises to showcase thrilling action, global cricketing talent, and high-stakes entertainment, all vying for the coveted US$1 million prize pool.

This year’s GSL features champions and finalists from the top T20 leagues around the world:

• Central Stags (New Zealand—Super Smash champions)
• Dubai Capitals (UAE – ILT20 champions)
• Guyana Amazon Warriors (West Indies—2024 CPL finalists)
• Hobart Hurricanes XI (Australia—BBL champions)
• Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh—defending GSL champions)

These powerhouse teams will battle it out in a round-robin format, with the top two teams qualifying for the final on July 18.

GSL 2025: Live Streaming & Broadcast Details

Live telecast and streaming rights for GSL 2025 are expected to follow previous patterns, with updates to be confirmed by the GSL organizers. Based on regional broadcasting trends:

• India: Likely on Star Sports Network and FanCode App.
• Caribbean: Expected on SportsMax
• UK: BT Sport
• USA: Likely on BT Sport.
  (Official confirmation pending; updates expected soon.)

GSL 2025 Squads

Hobart Hurricanes XI
Ben McDermott, Billy Stanlake, Nikhil Chaudhary, Jackson Bird, Tim Ward, Jake Doran, Raf MacMillan, Marcus Bean, Mac Wright, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Nabi, and Odean Smith.

Rangpur Riders
Nurul Hasan Sohan, Soumya Sarkar, Mohammed Naim Sheikh, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Kamrul Islam Rabbi, Mohammed Saif Hassan, Abu Haider Rony, Rakibul Hasan, Yasir Ali Chowdhury, Kyle Mayers, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ibrahim Zadran, Iftikhar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Harmeet Singh, and Khawaja Nafay.

Guyana Amazon Warriors
Imran Tahir, Evin Lewis, Johnson Charles, Moeen Ali, Shimron Hetmyer, Saud Shakeel, Romario Shepherd, Dwaine Pretorius, Gudakesh Motie, Akeal Hossein, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Mark Adair, Jewel Andrew, Shamar Springer, and Amir Jangoo.

Central Stags
Tom Bruce (captain), Doug Bracewell, Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Toby Findlay, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Angus Schaw, Blair Tickner, Will Young, and Matthew Forde.

Dubai Capitals
Sediqullah Atal, Rovman Powell, Kadeem Alleyne, Jordan Ethan Zahir Johnson, Dominic Conneil Drakes, Bevon Jacobs, Zeeshan Naseer, Alishan Sharafu, Aryaman Varma, Kaleem Sana Rehman, Said Shah, and Farhan Khan.

See Also: GSL 2025: Hobart Hurricanes XI announce their squad for upcoming season

GSL 2025 Fixtures (All matches at Guyana National Stadium, Providence)

The Central Stags have confirmed their team for the first ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) 2025, as the decorated New Zealand domestic side prepares to showcase its firepower in Providence from 10 to 18 July. Backed by a title-winning 2024/25 Dream11 Super Smash season, the Stags are set to put their mettle to the test in Caribbean soil.

Captain by explosive middle-order batsman Tom Bruce, a New Zealand record holder for the quickest List A fifty (off 16 balls), the team is strengthened by a diverse mix of international experience and budding domestic players. Bruce shares this rare 16-ball half-century record with West Indies fast bowler Matthew Forde, who will also be part of the team as an overseas recruit.

The team is packed with expertise, featuring nine caps at the international level in the form of Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Will Young, Doug Bracewell, and Moeen Ali. Their competition journey will begin against the Dubai Capitals on 10 July, and then the crunch matches against Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hobart Hurricanes XI, and reigning champions Rangpur Riders.

International Class and Youthful Energy

Doug Bracewell's return—his 100th career T20 game is looming—is huge. He arrives off a period playing for Joburg Super Kings and gains valuable leadership and all-round timber. Returning BLACKCAPS Dean Foxcroft and Ajaz Patel also join, giving both departments more depth. Patel's return from injury tops a strong spin group, assisted by potential left-armer Jayden Lennox and all-rounders Angus Schaw and Foxcroft.

See Also: GSL 2025: Guyana Amazon Warriors announce their squad for upcoming season

The pace attack boasts in-form Blair Tickner and thrill-seeker Matthew Forde, who also contributes a finishing punch with the bat. Top-order in-form players are Will Young, Josh Clarkson, and Dane Cleaver, while Curtis Heaphy and Will Clark head the young guns following strong domestic performances.

The Central Stags 2025 GSL squad includes:
Tom Bruce (captain), Doug Bracewell, Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Toby Findlay, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Angus Schaw, Blair Tickner, Will Young, and Matthew Forde.

The Super Smash Champions are ready for the GSL challenge! 🇳🇿

The Central Stags announce their squad for the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League 🌎

READ MORE: https://t.co/iZ9iaQAASD#GSLT20 #GlobalSuperLeague #CentralStags pic.twitter.com/HnjArwvh2a

— Global Super League (@gslt20) June 13, 2025