Will Young

Will Young played a major role in Central Districts winning the 2017-18 Plunket Shield. He was the second highest run-getter for his side and fourth overall, with 686 runs in 10 games. In fact, he has been the most consistent batsman for the Stags over a period of time.

A right-hand batsman, Young bats in the middle order generally at number four. He has a proper blend of defence and attack, which can be seen in his numbers in all three forms of the game. Young made his debut in 2012 as a 20-year-old and a couple of seasons later he had his breakthrough season, 909 runs at 53.

Since then there has never been a season where Young has not gone past 500 runs in a season. His least productive year since 2014 was in 2016-17 where he still managed to score 591 runs. Getting the captaincy of Central Districts brought the best out of him as he recorded his career-best score of 162 in the title winning 2017-18 season.

Young's impressive numbers in the domestic circuit earned him a call-up to the national squad, and he, subsequently, made his international debut (in Tests) against West Indies in December 2020. In a matter of three months, Young went onto make his ODI and T20I debut as well (both against Bangladesh). A watertight technique, and with a great head on his shoulders, plenty of pundits in New Zealand cricket hope for improved consistency from Young across formats.

Despite a solid debut, he often remained in the fringes for New Zealand cricket, often coming into the team only as an injury replacement for Kane Williamson or the other batters. He scored his maiden ODI hundred against Netherlands in March 2022.

Young was part of the 2023 ODI World Cup as well, but failed to get regular chances in the XI. His finest moments of his career came a year later when New Zealand travelled to India for a Test series. Young top scored for the visitors, scoring 244 runs to be named Player of the Series as New Zealand managed a 3-0 whitewash. Young played with a refreshing positivity against the Indian spinners, showing solid defence and using the sweep shot to great success.