Latest news with #DeanFoxcroft
Otago Daily Times
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Foxcroft heading back to CD
Dean Foxcroft has been careful not to burn any bridges with Otago. But he has cut ties with the Volts and signed with Central Districts. The decision was simple in the end. He believes his cricket will be better served in Napier than in Dunedin. "Obviously, the key thing is around having the guys around me that can make me a better player," Foxcroft told the Otago Daily Times . "I feel that can happen at Otago also, and it can happen at CD as well where I've got the likes of Tom Bruce and Will Young and all those experienced guys around me. "I'm pretty sure I can fit in with the CD team." Otago helped develop and support Foxcroft, and his decision to move on should not be seen as a negative reflection on the association, he said. The uncertainty around the Volts' coaching situation and the raft of recent departures did not play a part in his decision-making process. "No, no, it didn't. It's nothing to do with Otago or the change of coach or anything like that. "I just thought, personally, I'm keen on the move and to go and play where I started my cricket in New Zealand." Volts coach Ashley Noffke confirmed his departure earlier this month. He left with a year to run on his contract to pursue international opportunities. Noffke had replaced Dion Ebrahim, who also left a year into his two-year extension. Volts assistant Ben McCord left quietly towards the end of last season and has not spoken publicly about his departure. Leading Otago batter Dale Phillips is understood to be returning to Auckland, and former Canterbury batter Leo Carter is rumoured to be leaving Otago after just a year. It is a lot of change but there appears to be some help arriving. Central Districts opener Jack Boyle is understood to be transferring south to Otago, and Wellington middle-order batter Troy Johnson is another name linked with a move to the Volts. Foxcroft, a former South African under-19 representative, moved to New Zealand in 2018-19 to pursue an elite cricket career, and his first stop was with Central Districts. But he threw his kit bag in with Otago the following season and set himself the goal of qualifying for the Black Caps. He made an immediate impact for the Volts, performing strongly in the limited-overs formats. That season was cut short due to Covid. The star all-rounder returned to the republic to visit family and was unable to return when New Zealand closed its borders. Otago campaigned on his behalf to secure an exemption so he could return and take up his playing contract in 2021-22. They kept up the fight the following season but were unsuccessful and were unable to contract him for the 2022-23 season. When the border restrictions were lifted, Foxcroft made a triumphant return. The right-hander was impressive during the Super Smash, clobbering 424 runs at an average of 47.11. His deeds did not go unnoticed further up the chain. He was crowned domestic player of the year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards and earned a maiden call-up for the Black Caps. He made his debut for the Black Caps in a T20 against the UAE in Dubai in August 2023.
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Foxcroft understood to be heading to CD
Dean Foxcroft. Photo: Peter McIntosh Former Otago captain Dean Foxcroft will suit up for Central Districts next summer. The 27-year-old declined to comment when approached yesterday. But the Otago Daily Times understands the South African-born all-rounder is returning to Central Districts. Foxcroft, who has played five T20s and one ODI for the Black Caps, will be a huge loss for the province. He is a key player in the Volts and captained the team in 2023-24. The right-hander made his debut for Otago in 2019-20 but his stint in the South was interrupted by Covid. He returned to South Africa at the end of that season and was unable to return for two years when New Zealand closed its borders while the world wrestled with the pandemic. Otago stuck by Foxcroft and turned over every stone in an attempt to get him back into the country. When the restrictions were lifted, he made a successful return. He was in dominant form during the Super Smash in 2022-23, clobbering 424 runs at an average of 47.11. He was crowned domestic player of the year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards and made his international debut for the Black Caps in a T20 against the UAE in Dubai in August 2023. Foxcroft's form with the bat fell away when he was made captain of the Volts the following season. He stepped down from the role ahead of the 2024-25 season. But Foxcroft got himself back into good nick and was selected for the New Zealand A tour of Bangladesh in May. Foxcroft has played for Central Districts previously. He played for the Stags in 2018-19 before moving to Dunedin. Foxcroft might not be the only high-profile player to move on. There are persistent rumours another key Volts batter is heading to Auckland. The first round of domestic contracts need to be accepted or declined by June 23. The deadline for the second round of contracts is on July 7. The Volts will be looking for more than another star all-rounder. Head coach Ashley Noffke resigned earlier this week. He was one year into a two-year deal. His assistant Ben McCord made a quiet departure towards the end of last summer. Otago had made progress finding a replacement for McCord but had to hit pause when Noffke pulled stumps. Former coach Dion Ebrahim quit towards the end of the 2023-24 season. He also had a year to run on his contract. It is unclear whether all the uncertainty around the coaching situation was a factor in Foxcroft's decision.
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Dean Foxcroft leaving Otago for CD
Dean Foxcroft. Photo: ODT files Former Otago captain Dean Foxcroft will suit up for Central Districts next summer. The 27-year-old declined to comment when approached this afternoon, but the Otago Daily Times understands the South African-born all-rounder is returning to Central Districts. Foxcroft, who has played five T20s and one ODI for the Black Caps, will be a huge loss for the province. He is a key player in the side and captained the team in 2023-24. The right-hander made his debut for Otago in 2019-20 but his stint in the south was interrupted by Covid. He returned to South Africa at the end of that season and was unable to return for two years when New Zealand closed its borders while the world wrestled with the pandemic. Foxcroft made a successful return in 2022-23. He was in dominant form during the Super Smash and was crowned domestic player of the year at the New Zealand Cricket Awards. He was named in the Black Caps and made his international debut in a T20 against the UAE in Dubai in August 2023. Foxcroft's form with the bat fell away when he was made captain of the Volts the following season. But he got himself back into good nick and was selected for the New Zealand A tour of Bangladesh in May. Foxcroft has played for Central Districts previously. He played for the Stags in 2018-19 before deciding to move to Dunedin to play for Otago.
