The 52nd edition of The Ford Trophy will get underway from November 22. Defending champions Auckland have won the competition 13 times (behind only Canterbury’s 15), and will be keen to defend their title. Of the other teams, Wellington have won eight times, Northern Districts seven times, Central Districts six times, and Otago twice.

The teams will play each other in a double round-robin league format – in other words, every team will meet every other team twice. The last three group matches will be played simultaneously, on February 14. The second- and third-placed teams will clash in a preliminary final three days later, the winner of which will meet the table topper in the final on February 19.

The tournament has changed names several times, often based on the sponsor. The full list reads New Zealand Motor Corporation Knock-Out (1971/72-1976/77), Gillette Cup (1977/78-1978/79), National Knock-Out (1979/80), Shell Cup (1980/81-2000/01), State Shield (2001/02-2008/09), New Zealand One-Day Cricket Competition (2009/10-2010/11), and The Ford Trophy (since 2011/12).

The Ford Trophy 2022/23 schedule: Full fixtures

(All timings are 3.30 AM local time)

November 22: Wellington v Canterbury, Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
November 24: Auckland v Northern Districts, Colin Maiden Park, Auckland
November 24: Otago v Central Districts, University Oval, Dunedin
November 30: Auckland v Otago, Colin Maiden Park, Auckland
November 30: Central Districts v Wellington, Fitzherbert Park, Palmerston North
November 30: Northern Districts v Canterbury, Seddon Park, Hamilton
December 4: Canterbury v Auckland, MainPower Oval, Rangiora
December 4: Central Districts v Otago, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
December 4: Northern Districts v Wellington, Seddon Park, Hamilton
December 8: Canterbury v Wellington, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
December 8: Northern Districts v Auckland, Seddon Park, Hamilton
December 12: Auckland v Central Districts, Colin Maiden Park, Auckland
December 14: Canterbury v Otago, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
December 14: Wellington v Northern Districts, Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
December 15: Central Districts v Auckland, Pukekura Park, New Plymouth
December 18: Canterbury v Northern Districts, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
December 18: Central Districts v Wellington, McLean Park, Napier
December 18: Otago v Auckland, John Davies Oval, Queenstown
January 10: Otago v Wellington, University Oval, Dunedin
January 11: Canterbury v Central Districts, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
January 17: Northern Districts v Central Districts, Seddon Park, Hamilton
January 18: Otago v Canterbury, University Oval, Dunedin
January 25: Northern Districts v Otago, Seddon Park, Hamilton
January 25: Wellington v Auckland, Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
February 1: Auckland v Canterbury, Kennards Hire Community Oval, Auckland
February 1: Wellington v Otago, Cello Basin Reserve, Wellington
February 6: Central Districts v Northern Districts, McLean Park, Napier
February 14: Auckland v Wellington, Colin Maiden Park, Auckland
February 14: Central Districts v Canterbury, McLean Park, Napier
February 14: Otago v Northern Districts, University Oval, Dunedin

February 17: Preliminary Final, TBC
February 19: Final, TBC