The Stewie Dempster Shield

The annual Wellington versus Hutt Valley cricket match for the Stewie Dempster Shield is being played this Sunday at Fraser Park.

The match between players of the two former separate cricket associations is the first of two games scheduled this summer, along with a two-dayer at Karori Park on 10 and 11 February. 

The Stewie Dempster Shield was resurrected in 2008/09 after a ten-year absence and provides the opportunity for players involved to meet their Hutt Valley or City rivals in a competitive match while also recognising Wellington’s cricket history.

Hutt Valley goes into the game as defending champions after winning two years ago. Last year’s clash was washed out.

The Stewie Dempster Shield, named after the former Wellington and New Zealand batsman and 1932 Wisden Player of the Year, was previously contested between the two association’s U22 sides on an annual basis between 1979/80 and 1999/00. Prior to that it was played for at U19 level between the two.

The annual contest was discontinued when the Hutt Valley and Wellington Cricket Associations merged to become Cricket Wellington.

This year the match doubles as a trial match for the Wellington U23 side that will contest the National Tournament in Lincoln from 24 of January 2011. As with the National Tournament up to four over age players may be used

The teams are: