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{{Short description|Cricket competition}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{redirect-confused|State Championship|Brazilian Football State Championship}}
{{Infobox cricket tournament main
| name = Plunket Shield
| image = PlunketShieldNZ.png
| imagesize = 
| caption = 
| country = [[New Zealand]]
| administrator = [[New Zealand Cricket]]
| cricket format = [[First-class cricket]]
| first = 1906–{{start date and age|1907}}
| last = [[2024–25 Plunket Shield season|2024-25]]
| next = 
| tournament format = [[Round-robin tournament|Round-robin]]
| participants = 6
| champions = [[Northern Districts men's cricket team|Northern Districts]] (9th title)
| most successful = [[Auckland cricket team|Auckland]] (24 titles)
| qualification = 
| most runs = [[Mathew Sinclair]] (9,148) 
| most wickets = [[Stephen Boock]] (399) 
| website = 
| current = 
}}

[[File:Plunket Shield.jpg|thumb|right|The Plunket Shield]]
New Zealand has had a domestic [[first-class cricket]] championship since the 1906–07 season. Since the 2009–10 season it has been known by its original name of the '''Plunket Shield'''.<ref name=CInf/>

==History==
The Plunket Shield competition was instigated in October 1906 with the donation of a shield by [[William Plunket, 5th Baron Plunket]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/228167.html |title=Obituaries in 1920 |work=ESPN Cricinfo |date=2 December 2005 |access-date=27 October 2019}}</ref> who was the [[Governor-General of New Zealand]] from 1904 to 1910. For the 1906–07 inaugural season, the Shield was allotted by the [[New Zealand Cricket Council]] "to the Association whose representative team it considers to have the best record for the season".<ref>{{cite journal|title=New Zealand Council|journal=Press|date=31 October 1906|volume=LXII|issue=12638|page= 2|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19061031.2.4|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref> After the Council awarded the Shield to [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]], chiefly because Canterbury were the only provincial team to beat the [[Marylebone Cricket Club cricket team in New Zealand in 1906–07|visiting MCC]], [[Auckland cricket team|Auckland]] representatives complained that Auckland should have received the Shield as their team was superior but had not had the chance to prove it as none of the other provincial teams had played Auckland during the season.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Notes by Long Slip|journal=Otago Witness|date=22 May 1907|issue=2775|page= 57|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19070522.2.158.1|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref>

Beginning with the 1907–08 season, the competition was decided by challenge matches among Auckland, [[Wellington cricket team|Wellington]], Canterbury, [[Otago cricket team|Otago]] and, on two occasions, [[Hawke's Bay cricket team|Hawke's Bay]]. Auckland defeated Canterbury by an innings in the first challenge match in December 1907.<ref>[[Dick Brittenden|R.T. Brittenden]], ''Great Days in New Zealand Cricket'', A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1958, pp. 33–38.</ref>

A proposal in 1912 that the Shield should be decided by an inter-provincial tournament rather than by the challenge system was rejected as impracticable at the time.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Revision of Plunket Shield Matches|journal=Evening Post|date=10 July 1912|volume=84|issue=9|page= 2|url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/EP19120710.2.16|access-date=22 March 2017}}</ref> However, starting with the 1921–22 season, the four principal teams (minus Hawke's Bay, which lost first-class status) played each other in a single [[Round-robin tournament|round-robin]] series of matches.<ref>{{cite journal |title=N.Z. Cricket Council |journal=Press |date=17 June 1921 |page=8 |url=https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19210617.2.79}}</ref> [[Central Districts]] entered the competition in 1950–51, and [[Northern Districts men's cricket team|Northern Districts]] in 1956–57.

===Shell Trophy===
[[Shell Oil]] became principal sponsor in 1974–75 and a new trophy was introduced. Games were played over three days during this period, with an over-limit on the first innings. In latter years the format was experimented with, introducing a shorter second round, various bonus points systems, and eventually a knockout final. During this period the Plunket Shield was contested in occasional games between the [[North Island cricket team|North Island]] and [[South Island cricket team|South Island]] teams – they played a three-day match in December 1977<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Preston |editor1-first=Norman |editor1-link=Norman Preston |title=Wisden Cricketers' Almanack 1979 |date=1979 |publisher=Macdonald and Jane's |location=London |isbn=0354090801 |page=1024}}</ref> and one-day matches in the 1981–82, 1993–94 and 1994–95 seasons.

===State Championship===
The format and the principal sponsor were changed in 2001–02 season. [[State Insurance]] (more commonly just called 'State') replaced Shell Oil. The competitions were renamed to reflect the new sponsor's name, so despite the fact that New Zealand does not have political 'states', the correct name for the first-class competition was the 'State Championship'. Each of the provincial teams played in a single round-robin series of four-day matches. There was a target of 112 overs in each day's play. After the round-robin the two highest-ranked teams played a five-day final.

A [[List A cricket|List A]] 50-over competition known as the [[New Zealand limited-overs cricket championship|State Shield]] was run from late December to the end of January, culminating with a semi-final (second versus third) and final (the semi-final winner against the top qualifier) early in February.

In 2006, a provincial Twenty20 competition was begun, and was played during February and early March. The top two sides qualified for the final. It was called the [[State Twenty20]].

===Plunket Shield reinstated===
When State Insurance withdraw from their sponsorship, the Plunket Shield was reinstated for the 2009–10 season. New Zealand Cricket stated that the naming rights were no longer for sale and that the competition would henceforth be known as the Plunket Shield.<ref name=CInf>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/newzealand/content/story/432861.html |title=New Zealand bring back Plunket Shield|publisher=Cricinfo.com|date=4 November 2009|access-date=7 May 2020}}</ref> The final was abolished, meaning that the team with the most points at the end of the competition wins the title.<ref>Don Cameron, "Domestic Cricket in New Zealand, 2009-10", ''[[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]]'' 2011, pp. 995–1000.</ref>

==Teams==
{| class="wikitable"
! Team !! Region !! Entered<br>competition !! Most recent<br>win !! Wins<br>(counted since 1921–22 season)
|-
|[[Auckland cricket team|Auckland]] || [[Auckland]] || 1906/07 || 2021/22 || 24
|-
|[[Wellington cricket team|Wellington]] || [[Wellington]] || 1906/07 || 2023/24 || 22
|-
|[[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]] || [[Canterbury Region|Canterbury]]<br>[[West Coast Region|West Coast]] || 1906/07 || 2020/21 || 20
|-
|[[Otago cricket team|Otago]] || [[Otago]]<br>[[Southland Region|Southland]] || 1906/07 || 1987/88 || 13
|-
|[[Central Districts cricket team|Central Districts]] || [[Hawke's Bay]]<br>[[Taranaki]]<br>[[Manawatū–Whanganui]]<br>[[Horowhenua]]<br>[[Kāpiti Coast District|Kapiti]]<br>[[Whanganui]]<br>[[Wairarapa]]<br>[[Nelson, New Zealand|Nelson]]<br>[[Marlborough District|Marlborough]] || 1950/51 || 2022/23 || 12
|-
|[[Northern Districts men's cricket team|Northern Districts]] || [[Northland Peninsula|Northland]]<br>[[South Auckland|Counties Manukau]]<br>[[Hamilton, New Zealand|Hamilton]]<br>[[Bay of Plenty]]<br>[[Waikato]]<br>[[Poverty Bay]] || 1956/57 || 2024/25 || 9
|}

===Former teams===
[[Hawke's Bay cricket team|Hawke's Bay]] played twice in the Plunket Shield, in the 1914/15 and 1920/21 seasons, losing both matches.

==Points system==
Points are awarded at the conclusion of each match. With no final, the team with the most points is declared the champion. The points system for the 2023/24 season was as follows:

*Won: 12 points
*Lost: 0 points
*Draw: 0 points
*Tie: 6 points
*Abandoned (without a ball bowled) / No result (drawn one-innings match): 4 points
*Batting points: First innings only up to 110 overs – first point at 200 runs, second point at 250 runs, third point at 300 runs, fourth point at 350 runs
*Bowling points: First innings only up to 110 overs – first point at 3 wickets, second point at 5 wickets, third point at 7 wickets, fourth point at 9 wickets
*Points may deducted for failing to bowl at least 15 overs per hour

If two or more teams are equal at the end of the season, the team with more victories will prevail, and if that does not separate the teams, the team with the higher net average per wicket will prevail.<ref>{{cite web |title=Plunket Shield Playing Conditions |url=https://www.nzc.nz/media/1qmhcfww/plunket-shield-playing-conditions-23_24-updated-november-23.pdf |website=NZC |access-date=6 November 2024}}</ref>

==Winners==
The holders of the shield during its "challenge match" period to 1921 were:
{|class="wikitable sortable" }
|-
! Season !! Holders !! Matches
|-
|| 1906–07 || [[Canterbury cricket team|Canterbury]] || –
|-
|| 1907–08 || [[Auckland cricket team|Auckland]] || 1
|-
|| 1908–09 || Auckland || 2
|-
|| 1909–10 || Auckland || 3
|-
|| 1910–11 || Auckland, Canterbury || 2
|-
|| 1911–12 || Canterbury, Auckland || 3
|-
|| 1912–13 || Auckland, Canterbury || 3
|-
|| 1913–14 || Canterbury || 4
|-
|| 1914–15 || Canterbury || 4
|-
|| 1915–18 || no competition due to [[World War I]] || –
|-
|| 1918–19 || [[Wellington cricket team|Wellington]], Canterbury || 3
|-
|| 1919–20 || Canterbury, Auckland || 3
|-
|| 1920–21 || Auckland, Wellington || 3
|}

From the 1921–22 season the competition has been run on a round robin format.
{|class="wikitable sortable" }
|-
! Season !! Winner !! Runner-up
|-
|| [[1921–22 Plunket Shield season|1921–22]] || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1922–23 || Canterbury || Wellington
|-
|| 1923–24 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| 1924–25 || Otago || Canterbury
|-
|| 1925–26 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| 1926–27 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1927–28 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1928–29 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1929–30 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| 1930–31 || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| 1931–32 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1932–33 || Otago || Canterbury
|-
|| 1933–34 || Auckland || Otago
|-
|| [[1934–35 Plunket Shield season|1934–35]] || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| 1935–36 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| [[1936–37 Plunket Shield season|1936–37]] || Auckland || Otago
|-
|| 1937–38 || Auckland || Otago
|-
|| 1938–39 || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| 1939–40 || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| 1940–45 || (not contested due to [[World War II]]) ||
|-
|| 1945–46 || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| 1946–47 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1947–48 || Otago || Canterbury
|-
|| 1948–49 || Canterbury || Otago
|-
|| 1949–50 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1950–51 || Otago || Central Districts
|-
|| 1951–52 || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| 1952–53 || Otago || Central Districts
|-
|| 1953–54 || Central Districts || Auckland
|-
|| 1954–55 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1955–56 || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| 1956–57 || Wellington || Otago
|-
|| 1957–58 || Otago || Auckland
|-
|| 1958–59 || Auckland || Otago
|-
|| 1959–60 || Canterbury || Otago
|-
|| 1960–61 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1961–62 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| 1962–63 || Northern Districts || Wellington
|-
|| 1963–64 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1964–65 || Canterbury || Central Districts
|-
|| 1965–66 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1966–67 || Central Districts || Canterbury
|-
|| 1967–68 || Central Districts || Canterbury
|-
|| 1968–69 || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| 1969–70 || Otago || Central Districts
|-
|| 1970–71 || Central Districts || Wellington
|-
|| 1971–72 || Otago || Auckland
|-
|| 1972–73 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| 1973–74 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1974–75 || Otago || Canterbury
|-
|| 1975–76 || Canterbury || Otago
|-
|| 1976–77 || Otago || Central Districts
|-
|| 1977–78 || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| 1978–79 || Otago || Central Districts
|-
|| 1979–80 || Northern Districts || Wellington
|-
|| 1980–81 || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| 1981–82 || Wellington || Northern Districts
|-
|| 1982–83 || Wellington || Central Districts
|-
|| 1983–84 || Canterbury || Central Districts
|-
|| 1984–85 || Wellington || Auckland
|-
|| 1985–86 || Otago || Auckland
|-
|| 1986–87 || Central Districts || Otago
|-
|| 1987–88 || Otago || Auckland
|-
|| 1988–89 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1989–90 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 1990–91 || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| 1991–92 || Central Districts & Northern Districts ||
|-
|| 1992–93 || Northern Districts || Otago
|-
|| 1993–94 || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| 1994–95 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1995–96 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 1996–97 || Canterbury || Otago
|-
|| 1997–98 || Canterbury || Northern Districts
|-
|| 1998–99 || Central Districts || Otago
|-
|| 1999–00 || Northern Districts || Auckland
|-
|| 2000–01 || Wellington || Northern Districts
|-
|| 2001–02 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 2002–03 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 2003–04 || Wellington || Canterbury
|-
|| 2004–05 || Auckland || Wellington
|-
|| 2005–06 || Central Districts || Wellington
|-
|| 2006–07 || Northern Districts || Canterbury
|-
|| 2007–08 || Canterbury || Wellington
|-
|| 2008–09 || Auckland || Central Districts
|-
|| [[2009–10 Plunket Shield season|2009–10]] || Northern Districts || Canterbury
|-
|| [[2010–11 Plunket Shield season|2010–11]] || Canterbury || Otago
|-
|| [[2011–12 Plunket Shield season|2011–12]] || Northern Districts || Central Districts
|-
|| [[2012–13 Plunket Shield season|2012–13]] || Central Districts || Otago
|-
|| [[2013–14 Plunket Shield season|2013–14]] || Canterbury || Otago
|-
|| [[2014–15 Plunket Shield Season|2014–15]] || Canterbury || Auckland
|-
|| [[2015–16 Plunket Shield season|2015–16]] || Auckland || Canterbury
|-
|| [[2016–17 Plunket Shield season|2016–17]] || Canterbury || Northern Districts
|-
|| [[2017–18 Plunket Shield season|2017–18]] || Central Districts || Wellington
|-
|| [[2018–19 Plunket Shield season|2018–19]] || Central Districts || Canterbury
|-
|| [[2019–20 Plunket Shield season|2019–20]] || Wellington || Central Districts
|-
|| [[2020–21 Plunket Shield season|2020–21]] || Canterbury || Northern Districts
|-
|| [[2021–22 Plunket Shield season|2021–22]] || Auckland || Canterbury
|- 
|| [[2022–23 Plunket Shield season|2022–23]] || Central Districts || Canterbury
|- 
|| [[2023–24 Plunket Shield season|2023–24]] || Wellington || Northern Districts
|-
|| [[2024–25 Plunket Shield season|2024–25]] || Northern Districts || Wellington
|}

== Statistics ==

=== Top run scorers and wicket takers by season ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="5" |'''Batting'''
| rowspan="106" |
! colspan="4" |'''Bowling'''
|-
!'''Season''' 
!'''Player'''
!'''Matches'''
!'''Runs'''
!'''Average'''
!'''Player'''
!'''Matches'''
!'''Wickets'''
!'''Average'''
|-
|'''2024/25'''
|[[Nick Kelly|NF Kelly]] (Well)
|7
|749
|57.61
|[[Logan van Beek|LV van Beek]] (Well)
|8
|36
|20.63
|-
|'''2023/24'''
|[[Dale Phillips|DN Phillips]] (Ota)
|8
|686
|49.00
|[[Nathan Smith (New Zealand cricketer)|NG Smith]] (Well)
|7
|33
|17.18
|-
|'''2022/23'''
|[[Bharat Popli|B Popli]] (ND)
|8
|819
|63.00
|[[Jacob Duffy|JA Duffy]] (Ota)
|8
|32
|29.09
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''2021/22'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Tom Bruce (cricketer)|TC Bruce]] (CD)
| rowspan="2" |8
| rowspan="2" |858
| rowspan="2" |143.00
|[[Brett Randell|BG Randell]] (ND)
|7
|31
|14.83
|-
|[[Nathan Smith (New Zealand cricketer)|NG Smith]] (Well)
|7
|31
|18.41
|-
|'''2020/21'''
|[[Joe Carter (cricketer)|JF Carter]] (ND)
|8
|590
|53.63
|[[Will Williams|WSA Williams]] (Cant)
|8
|31
|17.03
|-
|'''2019/20'''
|[[Devon Conway|DP Conway]] (Well)
|6
|701
|87.62
|[[Jacob Duffy|JA Duffy]] (Ota)
|5
|22
|22.86
|-
|'''2018/19'''
|[[Devon Conway|DP Conway]] (Well)
|7
|659
|82.37
|[[Ish Sodhi|IS Sodhi]] (ND)
|7
|36
|24.97
|-
|'''2017/18'''
|[[Michael Papps|MHW Papps]] (Well)
|10
|814
|50.87
|[[Ajaz Patel|AY Patel]] (CD)
|9
|48
|21.52
|-
|'''2016/17'''
|[[Brad Wilson (cricketer)|BS Wilson]] (Ota)
|10
|730
|45.62
|[[Ajaz Patel|AY Patel]] (CD)
|9
|44
|30.81
|-
|'''2015/16'''
|[[Bharat Popli|B Popli]] (ND)
|10
|1149
|67.58
|[[Ajaz Patel|AY Patel]] (CD)
|8
|43
|33.69
|-
|'''2014/15'''
|[[Stephen Murdoch|SJ Murdoch]] (Well)
|10
|998
|52.52
|[[Jacob Duffy|JA Duffy]] (Ota)
|9
|45
|24.06
|-
|'''2013/14'''
|[[Tom Latham (cricketer)|TWM Latham]] (Cant)
|7
|948
|79.00
|[[Mark Gillespie (New Zealand cricketer)|MR Gillespie]] (Well)
|10
|42
|32.90
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''2012/13'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Aaron Redmond|AJ Redmond]] (Ota)
| rowspan="2" |10
| rowspan="2" |941
| rowspan="2" |55.35
|[[Brent Arnel|BJ Arnel]] (ND)
|10
|45
|24.84
|-
|[[Mark Gillespie (New Zealand cricketer)|MR Gillespie]] (Well)
|9
|45
|31.37
|-
|'''2011/12'''
|[[Mathew Sinclair|MS Sinclair]] (CD)
|10
|809
|53.93
|[[Neil Wagner|N Wagner]] (Ota)
|10
|46
|26.32
|-
|'''2010/11'''
|[[Peter Ingram|PJ Ingram]] (CD)
|10
|858
|50.47
|[[Neil Wagner|N Wagner]] (Ota)
|9
|51
|18.15
|-
|'''2009/10'''
|[[Luke Woodcock|LJ Woodcock]] (Well)
|10
|988
|65.86
|[[Graeme Aldridge|GW Aldridge]] (ND)
|9
|42
|23.04
|-
|'''2008/09'''
|[[Mathew Sinclair|MS Sinclair]] (CD)
|9
|904
|75.33
|[[Tarun Nethula|TS Nethula]] (Auck)
|8
|28
|34.60
|-
|'''2007/08'''
|[[Neal Parlane|NR Parlane]] (Well)
|9
|809
|57.78
|[[Brent Arnel|BJ Arnel]] (ND)
|7
|33
|20.93
|-
|'''2006/07'''
|[[Michael Papps|MHW Papps]] (Cant)
|7
|1005
|91.36
|[[Iain O'Brien|IE O'Brien]] (Well)
|7
|34
|20.85
|-
|'''2005/06'''
|[[Mathew Sinclair|MS Sinclair]] (CD)
|9
|723
|51.64
|[[Mark Gillespie (New Zealand cricketer)|MR Gillespie]] (Well)
|8
|43
|23.16
|-
|'''2004/05'''
|[[Peter Fulton|PG Fulton]] (Cant)
|8
|828
|69.00
|[[Kerry Walmsley|KP Walmsley]] (Auck)
|7
|38
|22.63
|-
|'''2003/04'''
|[[Peter Fulton|PG Fulton]] (Cant)
|9
|655
|43.66
|[[James Franklin (cricketer)|JEC Franklin]] (Well)
|9
|36
|21.38
|-
|'''2002/03'''
|[[Tim McIntosh (cricketer)|TG McIntosh]] (Auck)
|10
|820
|58.57
|[[Tama Canning|TK Canning]] (Auck)
|9
|46
|21.97
|-
|'''2001/02'''
|[[Michael Papps|MHW Papps]] (Cant)
|9
|756
|54.00
|[[Andrew Schwass|AM Schwass]] (CD)
|9
|45
|14.73
|-
|'''2000/01'''
|[[Ben Smith (English cricketer)|BF Smith]] (CD)
|10
|939
|58.68
|[[Iain O'Brien|IE O'Brien]] (Well)
|9
|41
|17.90
|-
|'''1999/00'''
|[[Glen Sulzberger|GP Sulzberger]] (CD)
|5
|550
|61.11
|[[Bruce Martin|BP Martin]] (ND)
|6
|36
|14.36
|-
|'''1998/99'''
|[[Mathew Sinclair|MS Sinclair]] (CD)
|5
|463
|154.33
|[[Andrew Penn (cricketer)|AJ Penn]] (CD)
|5
|26
|16.34
|-
|'''1997/98'''
|[[Matthew Bell (cricketer)|MD Bell]] (Well)
|5
|574
|71.75
|[[Alex Tait (cricketer)|AR Tait]] (ND)
|6
|29
|19.06
|-
|'''1996/97'''
|[[Craig McMillan|CD McMillan]] (Cant)
|8
|809
|73.54
|[[Alex Tait (cricketer)|AR Tait]] (ND)
|8
|48
|15.79
|-
|'''1995/96'''
|[[Mark Greatbatch|MJ Greatbatch]] (CD)
|5
|623
|155.75
|[[Dougie Brown|DR Brown]] (Well)
|6
|28
|15.71
|-
|'''1994/95'''
|[[Roger Twose|RG Twose]] (Well)
|8
|720
|80.00
|[[Heath Davis|HT Davis]] (Well)
|8
|34
|26.29
|-
|'''1993/94'''
|[[Adam Parore|AC Parore]] (Auck)
|6
|499
|45.36
|[[Mark Priest|MW Priest]] (Cant)
|5
|28
|16.35
|-
|'''1992/93'''
|[[Darrin Murray|DJ Murray]] (Cant)
|8
|548
|45.66
|[[Richard de Groen|RP de Groen]] (ND)
|9
|46
|16.84
|-
|'''1991/92'''
|[[Jeff Crowe|JJ Crowe]] (Auck)
|10
|1063
|62.52
|[[Neil Mallender|NA Mallender]] (Ota)
|9
|49
|12.30
|-
|'''1990/91'''
|[[Jeff Crowe|JJ Crowe]] (Auck)
|10
|667
|44.46
|[[Dipak Patel (New Zealand cricketer)|DN Patel]] (Auck)
|10
|37
|24.70
|-
|'''1989/90'''
|[[Bruce Edgar|BA Edgar]] (Well)
|10
|720
|40.00
|[[Stu Roberts|SJ Roberts]] (Cant)
|10
|39
|24.38
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''1988/89'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Graeme Hick|GA Hick]] (ND)
| rowspan="2" |8
| rowspan="2" |1228
| rowspan="2" |94.46
|[[Stephen Boock|SL Boock]] (Ota)
|7
|32
|18.15
|-
|[[Brendon Bracewell|BP Bracewell]] (ND)
|7
|32
|21.50
|-
|'''1987/88'''
|[[Bruce Edgar|BA Edgar]] (Well)
|8
|666
|55.50
|[[Stephen Boock|SL Boock]] (Ota)
|8
|41
|21.82
|-
|'''1986/87'''
|[[Martin Crowe|MD Crowe]] (CD)
|8
|1348
|103.69
|[[Stephen Boock|SL Boock]] (Ota)
|8
|48
|15.41
|-
|'''1985/86'''
|[[Ken Rutherford (cricketer)|KR Rutherford]] (Ota)
|8
|638
|53.16
|[[Evan Gray|EJ Gray]] (Well)
|8
|34
|22.00
|-
|'''1984/85'''
|[[Tony Blain|TE Blain]] (CD)
|8
|678
|48.42
|[[Evan Gray|EJ Gray]] (Well)
|7
|43
|22.41
|-
|'''1983/84'''
|[[Paul McEwan (cricketer)|PE McEwan]] (Cant)
|8
|713
|59.41
|[[Gary Robertson (cricketer)|GK Robertson]] (CD)
|8
|33
|19.51
|-
|'''1982/83'''
|[[Bruce Blair|BR Blair]] (Ota)
|8
|680
|52.30
|[[Tony Pigott|ACS Pigott]] (Well)
|6
|33
|17.60
|-
|'''1981/82'''
|[[John Wright (cricketer, born 1954)|JG Wright]] (ND)
|7
|672
|51.69
|[[Ewen Chatfield|EJ Chatfield]] (Well)
|7
|47
|16.87
|-
|'''1980/81'''
|[[John Morrison (cricketer)|JFM Morrison]] (Well)
|7
|599
|54.45
|[[Stephen Boock|SL Boock]] (Ota)
|5
|38
|17.55
|-
|'''1979/80'''
|[[Paul McEwan (cricketer)|PE McEwan]] (Cant)
|7
|551
|45.91
|[[John Bracewell|JG Bracewell]] (Ota)
|7
|37
|21.64
|-
|'''1978/79'''
|[[Ian Rutherford|IA Rutherford]] (Ota)
|3
|381
|76.20
|[[David O'Sullivan (cricketer, born 1944)|DR O'Sullivan]] (CD)
|3
|20
|20.40
|-
|'''1977/78'''
|[[Robert Anderson (New Zealand cricketer)|RW Anderson]] (CD)
|2
|283
|70.75
|[[Stephen Boock|SL Boock]] (Ota)
|3
|21
|17.38
|-
|'''1976/77'''
|[[Ian Rutherford|IA Rutherford]] (Ota)
|3
|261
|52.20
|[[Dennis Kay|DJ Kay]] (CD)
|3
|24
|13.00
|-
|'''1975/76'''
|[[Ian Rutherford|IA Rutherford]] (Ota)
|3
|193
|32.16
|[[Richard Hadlee|RJ Hadlee]] (Cant)
|3
|16
|15.62
|-
|'''1974/75'''
|[[Glenn Turner|GM Turner]] (Ota)
|5
|703
|78.11
|[[Hedley Howarth|HJ Howarth]] (Auck)
|5
|31
|19.96
|-
|'''1973/74'''
|[[Mark Burgess (cricketer)|MG Burgess]] (Auck)
|5
|458
|65.42
|[[Murray Webb|MG Webb]] (Ota)
|5
|40
|14.65
|-
|'''1972/73'''
|[[Bevan Congdon|BE Congdon]] (Ota)
|5
|501
|71.57
|[[Hedley Howarth|HJ Howarth]] (Auck)
|5
|37
|16.16
|-
|'''1971/72'''
|[[Robert Anderson (New Zealand cricketer)|RW Anderson]] (Ota)
|5
|446
|49.55
|[[Hedley Howarth|HJ Howarth]] (Auck)
|5
|31
|21.38
|-
|'''1970/71'''
|[[Rodney Redmond|RE Redmond]] (Auck)
|5
|443
|55.37
|[[Gren Alabaster|GD Alabaster]] (Ota)
|5
|25
|18.84
|-
|'''1969/70'''
|[[Bruce Murray (cricketer)|BAG Murray]] (Well)
|4
|430
|61.42
|[[Bryan Andrews (cricketer)|B Andrews]] (CD)
|5
|28
|15.96
|-
|'''1968/69'''
|[[Brian Hastings|BF Hastings]] (Cant)
|5
|432
|86.40
|[[Bob Cunis|RS Cunis]] (Auck)
|5
|30
|12.60
|-
|'''1967/68'''
|[[Graham Dowling|GT Dowling]] (Cant)
|5
|467
|66.71
|[[Dick Motz|RC Motz]] (Cant)
|5
|30
|14.93
|-
|'''1966/67'''
|[[Graham Dowling|GT Dowling]] (Cant)
|5
|520
|65.00
|[[Bryan Yuile|BW Yuile]] (CD)
|5
|29
|12.48
|-
|'''1965/66'''
|[[Barry Sinclair|BW Sinclair]] (Well)
|5
|395
|56.42
|[[Tom Puna|N Puna]] (ND)
|5
|34
|13.70
|-
|'''1964/65'''
|[[Brian Hastings|BF Hastings]] (Cant)
|5
|396
|56.57
|[[Bryan Yuile|BW Yuile]] (CD)
|5
|32
|13.59
|-
|'''1963/64'''
|[[Graham Gedye|SG Gedye]] (Auck)
|5
|382
|38.20
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (Well)
|5
|37
|13.21
|-
|'''1962/63'''
|[[Graham Dowling|GT Dowling]] (Cant)
|5
|422
|46.88
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (Well)
|5
|27
|15.00
|-
|'''1961/62'''
|[[Bruce Pairaudeau|BH Pairaudeau]] (ND)
|5
|380
|38.00
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (Well)
|5
|39
|9.20
|-
|'''1960/61'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Ota)
|5
|531
|66.37
|[[Alex Moir|AM Moir]] (Ota)
|5
|32
|15.90
|-
|'''1959/60'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Ota)
|5
|575
|71.87
|[[Jack Alabaster|JC Alabaster]] (Ota)
|5
|36
|14.08
|-
|'''1958/59'''
|[[John Richard Reid|JR Reid]] (Well)
|5
|474
|59.25
|[[Ken Hough|KW Hough]] (Auck)
|5
|36
|12.13
|-
|'''1957/58'''
|[[Lawrie Miller|LSM Miller]] (Well)
|5
|423
|47.00
|[[John Hayes (cricketer)|JA Hayes]] (Auck)
|5
|42
|11.38
|-
|'''1956/57'''
|[[Matt Poore|MB Poore]] (Cant)
|5
|377
|41.88
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (Well)
|5
|46
|9.47
|-
|'''1955/56'''
|[[Lawrie Miller|LSM Miller]] (Well)
|4
|429
|61.28
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (CD)
|4
|34
|16.79
|-
|'''1954/55'''
|[[Ray Dowker|RT Dowker]] (Cant)
|4
|366
|45.75
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (Well)
|4
|27
|14.44
|-
|'''1953/54'''
|[[John Guy (New Zealand cricketer)|JW Guy]] (CD)
|4
|451
|56.37
|[[Alex Moir|AM Moir]] (Ota)
|4
|34
|18.11
|-
|'''1952/53'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Ota)
|4
|683
|97.57
|[[Eric Fisher (cricketer)|FE Fisher]] (Well)
|4
|29
|10.20
|-
|'''1951/52'''
|[[John Richard Reid|JR Reid]] (Well)
|4
|472
|59.00
|[[Tom Burtt|TB Burtt]] (Cant)
|4
|29
|14.37
|-
|'''1950/51'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Ota)
|4
|610
|87.14
|[[Tom Burtt|TB Burtt]] (Cant)
|4
|38
|12.94
|-
|'''1949/50'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Ota)
|3
|569
|113.80
|[[Guy Overton|GWF Overton]] (Ota)
|3
|17
|19.00
|-
|'''1948/49'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Auck)
|3
|348
|87.00
|[[Arthur Cresswell|AE Cresswell]] (Well)
|3
|19
|14.26
|-
|'''1947/48'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Ota)
|3
|532
|88.66
|[[Tom Burtt|TB Burtt]] (Cant)
|3
|23
|22.78
|-
|'''1946/47'''
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Auck)
|3
|339
|84.75
|[[Jim Parks (cricketer, born 1903)|JH Parks]] (Cant)
|3
|19
|23.57
|-
|'''1945/46'''
|[[Verdun Scott|VJ Scott]] (Auck)
|3
|285
|95.00
|[[Jack Cowie|J Cowie]] (Auck)
|3
|17
|14.11
|-
|'''1939/40'''
|[[Verdun Scott|VJ Scott]] (Auck)
|3
|316
|79.00
|[[Tom Pritchard|TL Pritchard]] (Well)
|3
|23
|17.56
|-
|'''1938/39'''
|[[Robert Menzies (cricketer)|REJ Menzies]] (Cant)
|3
|318
|63.60
|[[Giff Vivian|HG Vivian]] (Auck)
|3
|21
|16.66
|-
|'''1937/38'''
|[[Ken Uttley|KFM Uttley]] (Ota)
|3
|420
|70.00
|[[Jack Dunning|JA Dunning]] (Ota)
|3
|20
|17.60
|-
|'''1936/37'''
|[[Bill Carson (sportsman)|WN Carson]] (Auck)
|3
|500
|125.00
|[[Jack Cowie|J Cowie]] (Auck)
|3
|19
|12.63
|-
|'''1935/36'''
|[[Merv Wallace|WM Wallace]] (Auck)
|3
|335
|67.00
|[[Bill Merritt (cricketer)|WE Merritt]] (Cant)
|3
|31
|17.03
|-
|'''1934/35'''
|[[Paul Whitelaw|PE Whitelaw]] (Auck)
|3
|384
|76.80
|[[Leslie Townsend (cricketer)|LF Townsend]] (Auck)
|3
|24
|13.91
|-
|'''1933/34'''
|[[Francis Bellamy (cricketer)|FWJ Bellamy]] (Cant)
|3
|333
|55.50
|[[Jack Dunning|JA Dunning]] (Ota)
|3
|22
|18.90
|-
|'''1932/33'''
|[[Ken James (cricketer)|KC James]] (Well)
|3
|269
|44.83
|[[Ted Badcock|FT Badcock]] (Ota)
|3
|21
|14.80
|-
|'''1931/32'''
|[[Roger Blunt|RC Blunt]] (Ota)
|3
|385
|77.00
|[[Jack Newman (New Zealand cricketer)|J Newman]] (Well)
|3
|22
|15.40
|-
|'''1930/31'''
|[[Herb McGirr|HM McGirr]] (Well)
|3
|388
|64.66
|[[Bill Merritt (cricketer)|WE Merritt]] (Cant)
|3
|19
|21.00
|-
|'''1929/30'''
|[[John Mills (New Zealand cricketer)|JE Mills]] (Auck)
|3
|325
|81.25
|[[Albert Wensley|AF Wensley]] (Auck)
|3
|15
|21.66
|-
|'''1928/29'''
|[[Roger Blunt|RC Blunt]] (Ota)
|3
|404
|67.33
|[[Matt Henderson (cricketer)|M Henderson]] (Well)
|3
|15
|28.33
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''1927/28'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Ted Bowley|EH Bowley]] (Auck)
| rowspan="2" |3
| rowspan="2" |359
| rowspan="2" |59.83
|[[Reg Read|RJ Read]] (Cant)
|3
|17
|21.88
|-
|[[Bill Merritt (cricketer)|WE Merritt]] (Cant)
|3
|17
|27.52
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''1926/27'''
| rowspan="2" |[[Syd Hiddleston|JS  Hiddleston]] (Well)
| rowspan="2" |3
| rowspan="2" |310
| rowspan="2" |51.66
|[[Ted Bowley|EH Bowley]] (Auck)
|3
|19
|19.68
|-
|[[Reg Read|RJ Read]] (Cant)
|3
|19
|21.57
|-
|'''1925/26'''
|[[Syd Hiddleston|JS Hiddleston]] (Well)
|3
|537
|107.40
|[[Ted Badcock|FT Badcock]] (Well)
|3
|23
|11.69
|-
|'''1924/25'''
|[[Bill Patrick (cricketer)|WR  Patrick]] (Cant)
|3
|307
|51.16
|[[Ted Badcock|FT Badcock]] (Well)
|3
|28
|17.50
|-
|'''1923/24'''
|[[Rupert Worker|RVD  Worker]] (Ota)
|3
|515
|85.83
|[[Arthur Alloo|AW Alloo]] (Ota)
|3
|24
|25.25
|-
|'''1922/23'''
|[[Bert Kortlang|HHL Kortlang]] (Well)
|3
|288
|72.00
|[[Reg Read|RJ Read]] (Cant)
|3
|20
|18.40
|-
|'''1921/22'''
|[[Syd Hiddleston|JS  Hiddleston]] (Well)
|3
|308
|61.60
|[[Raoul Garrard|DR  Garrard]] (Auck)
|3
|23
|10.34
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |'''Number  of occasions player was top run-scorer in a Plunket Shield season'''
|-
!'''Occasions'''
!'''Player'''
|-
|6
|[[Bert Sutcliffe|B Sutcliffe]] (Auck & Ota)
|-
|4
|[[Mathew Sinclair|MS Sinclair]] (CD)
|-
| rowspan="4" |3
|[[Graham Dowling|GT Dowling]] (Cant)
|-
|[[Ian Rutherford|IA Rutherford]] (Ota)
|-
|[[Syd Hiddleston|JS  Hiddleston]] (Well)
|-
|[[Michael Papps|MHW Papps]] (Cant)
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="2" |'''Number  of occasions player was top wicket-taker in a Plunket Shield season'''
|-
!'''Occasions'''
!'''Player'''
|-
|6
|[[Bob Blair (cricketer)|RW Blair]] (CD & Well)
|-
|4
|[[Stephen Boock|SL Boock]] (Ota)
|-
| rowspan="5" |3
|[[Jacob Duffy|JA Duffy]] (Ota)
|-
|[[Ajaz Patel|AY Patel]] (CD)
|-
|[[Hedley Howarth|HJ Howarth]] (Auck)
|-
|[[Mark Gillespie (New Zealand cricketer)|MR Gillespie]] (Well)
|-
|[[Tom Burtt|TB Burtt]] (Cant)
|}

=== Record for most runs and wickets in a single season ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |'''Most  runs in a season:'''
|-
!'''Season'''
!'''Player'''
!'''Province'''
!'''Matches'''
!'''Runs'''   
!'''Average'''
|-
|1986/87
|[[Martin Crowe|MD Crowe]]
|CD
|8
|1348     
|103.69
|}
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |'''Most  wickets in a season:'''
|-
!'''Season'''
!'''Player'''
!'''Province'''
!'''Matches'''
!'''Wickets'''
!'''Average'''
|-
|2010/11
|[[Neil Wagner|N Wagner]]
|Otago
|9
|51
|18.15
|}

=== Most career runs ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |Most Career Runs in Plunket Shield:
|-
!Player
!Province
!Matches
!Runs
!Average
!Span
|-
|MHW Papps
|Canterbury / Wellington
|163
|11463
|41.53
|1998/99 - 2016/17
|-
|MS Sinclair
|Central Districts
|115
|8842
|52.01
|1995/96 - 2012/13
|-
|PG Fulton
|Canterbury
|121
|8719
|43.16
|2000/01 - 2016/17
|-
|JA Raval
|Auckland / CD / ND
|120
|8189
|39.95
|2008/09 - 2024/25
|-
|CD Cumming
|Canterbury / Otago
|117
|7738
|40.94
|1995/96 - 2011/12
|-
|NT Broom
|Canterbury / Otago
|127
|7726
|40.24
|2002/03 - 2021/22
|-
|LJ Woodcock
|Wellington
|143
|7719
|35.74
|2001/02 - 2018/19
|-
|MD Bell
|Northern Districts / Wellington
|114
|7518
|40.86
|1993/94 - 2010/11
|-
|B Sutcliffe
|Auckland / Otago / ND
|84
|7286
|53.57
|1941/42 - 1965/66
|-
|BA Edgar
|Wellington
|85
|6311
|43.83
|1975/76 - 1989/90
|-
|JAH Marshall
|Northern Districts
|125
|6267
|32.30
|1997/98 - 2012/13
|-
|DR Flynn
|Northern Districts
|100
|6265
|37.74
|2004/05 - 2019/20
|-
|RH Vance
|Wellington
|114
|6211
|34.89
|1976/77 - 1990/91
|-
|RJ Nicol
|Auckland / Canterbury / Otago
|122
|6012
|33.22
|2001/02 - 2017/18
|}

=== Highest batting averages ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |Highest Batting Average (minimum 2000 runs):
|-
!Player
!Province
!Matches
!Runs
!Average
!Span
|-
|DP Conway*
|Wellington
|23
|2118
|64.18
|2017/18 - 2024/25
|-
|VJ Scott
|Auckland
|39
|3920
|63.27
|1937/38 - 1952/53
|-
|MD Crowe
|Auckland / CD / Wellington
|63
|5460
|57.47
|1979/80 - 1994/95
|-
|C Munro
|Auckland
|42
|3440
|57.33
|2006/07 - 2017/18
|-
|CZ Harris
|Canterbury
|82
|5202
|55.94
|1989/90 - 2009/10
|-
|KS Williamson*
|Northern Districts
|26
|2085
|53.46
|2007/08 - 2024/25
|-
|B Sutcliffe
|Auckland / Otago / ND
|84
|7286
|53.57
|1941/42 - 1965/66
|-
|LSM Miller
|Central Districts / Wellington
|28
|2233
|53.17
|1950/51 - 1959/60
|-
|MS Sinclair
|Central Districts
|115
|8842
|52.01
|1995/96 - 2012/13
|-
|TC Bruce*
|Central Districts
|78
|5521
|50.19
|2014/15 - 2022/23
|-
|WM Wallace
|Auckland
|40
|2782
|50.58
|1933/34 - 1956/57
|}
<nowiki>*</nowiki>up to end of 2024/25 season

=== Most career wickets ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="6" |'''Most career wickets in Plunket Shield (minimum 300 wickets):'''
|-
!Player
!Province
!Matches
!Wickets
!Average
!Span
|-
|SL Boock
|Otago / Canterbury
|101
|'''492'''
|19.82
|1973/74-1989/90
|-
|N Wagner
|Otago / Northern Districts
|89
|'''371'''
|26.46
|2008/09-2024/25
|-
|EJ Chatfield
|Wellington
|79
|'''370'''
|19.06
|1973/74-1989/90
|-
|DR O'Sullivan
|Central Districts
|84
|'''368'''
|27.40
|1972/73-1984/85
|-
|GW Aldridge
|Northern Districts
|119
|'''355'''
|28.32
|1998/99-2014/15
|-
|BJ Arnel
|Northern Districts / Wellington
|98
|'''354'''
|26.28
|2005/06-2017/18
|-
|RW Blair
|Wellington / Central Districts
|59
|'''352'''
|14.73
|1951/52-1964/65
|-
|EJ Gray
|Wellington
|117
|'''352'''
|27.40
|1975/76-1991/92
|-
|MR Gillespie
|Wellington
|82
|'''344'''
|27.29
|1999/00-2014/15
|-
|JS Patel
|Wellington
|133
|'''331'''
|37.84
|1999/00-2018/19
|-
|SC Kuggeleijn
|Wellington / Northern Districts
|95
|'''315'''
|30.23
|2011/12-2024/25
|-
|BP Martin
|Northern Districts / Auckland
|103
|'''308'''
|36.75
|1999/00-2013/14
|-
|TD Astle
|Canterbury
|105
|'''303'''
|31.37
|2005/06-2019/20
|-
|HJ Howarth
|Auckland
|74
|'''300'''
|22.37
|1963/64-1978/79
|}

=== Best bowling averages ===
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="7" |Best Bowling Average (minimum 100 wickets):
|-
!
!Player
!Province
!Matches
!Wickets
!Average
!Span
|-
|1
|RW Blair
|Wellington / Central Districts
|59
|352
|14.73
|1951/52 - 1964/65
|-
|2
|RJ Hadlee
|Canterbury
|58
|270
|15.69
|1971/72 - 1988/89
|-
|3
|CJ Drum
|Auckland
|30
|120
|17.92
|1996/97 - 2001/02
|-
|4
|BW Yuile
|Central Districts / Canterbury
|52
|213
|18.40
|1959/60 - 1971/72
|-
|5
|EJ Chatfield
|Wellington
|79
|370
|19.06
|1973/74 - 1989/90
|-
|6
|RC Motz
|Canterbury
|65
|226
|19.23
|1957/58 - 1968/69
|-
|7
|RO Collinge
|Wellington / CD / ND
|64
|247
|19.30
|1963/64 - 1977/78
|-
|8
|DR Hadlee
|Canterbury
|38
|190
|19.75
|1969/70 - 1983/84
|-
|9
|SL Boock
|Otago / Canterbury
|101
|492
|19.82
|1973/74 - 1989/90
|-
|10
|AR Tait
|Northern Districts
|25
|110
|19.83
|1994/95 - 2000/01
|-
|11
|FJ Cameron
|Otago
|65
|248
|19.86
|1952/53 - 1966/67
|-
|12
|NA Mallender
|Otago
|46
|212
|19.88
|1983/84 - 1992/93
|}

==See also==
{{portal|Cricket|New Zealand}}
* [[The Ford Trophy]]
* [[Hallyburton Johnstone Shield]]
* [[Men's Super Smash]]
* [[Women's Super Smash]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://teara.govt.nz/en/zoomify/38291/the-plunket-shield Detailed photograph of the Plunket Shield] at ''[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]''
*[http://nzc.nz/domestic/domestic-competitions/plunket-shield Plunket Shield] at [[New Zealand Cricket]]

{{Cricket in New Zealand}}
{{New Zealand cricket seasons}}
{{First-class Cricket Domestic Competitions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Plunket Shield}}
[[Category:Plunket Shield| ]]
[[Category:New Zealand domestic cricket competitions]]
[[Category:First-class cricket competitions]]
[[Category:Sports leagues established in 1906]]
[[Category:1906 establishments in New Zealand]]