South African-born Central Stag Dean Foxcroft gets Black Caps test call-up

“We’ve seen what he can do with the bat and he’s probably underrated from a spin point of view,” said Walter, who has been in the top job since June last year.

“I love his competitive nature. He’s a hard, grinding cricketer who’s prepared to get stuck in, and so to have him in the squad is awesome.”

Although Foxcroft was a part of the recent Black Caps white-ball tour to Bangladesh, a test call-up wasn’t something he anticipated.

“I played as a middle-order batter in the recent white-ball games in Bangladesh and bowled as well. Rob took me aside when we were over there and congratulated me and said they were going to take me to Ireland and England.”

After moving to New Zealand in 2016, Foxcroft set himself up in Hawke’s Bay as an 18-year-old and took his first steps towards a fruitful cricket career.

“I played cricket for Taradale Cricket Club for two years and then got selected to play for Hawke’s Bay. I did pretty well for them and made my debut for the Stags in 2018 before I moved to Dunedin to play for Otago.”

Walter coached Otago then and brought Foxcroft to the South Island. But after six seasons there, Foxcroft returned to the Central Stags for the 2025-26 domestic season and a second innings in the Bay.

“I love Hawke’s Bay, it’s a great place. I love the people in the Stags team, and I’ve made some good mates over the years. The family love it here as well.”

The Ireland test starts on May 27 in Belfast, before the squad relocates to London, where the first test against England will get underway on June 4 at the home of cricket, Lord’s.

It’ll be a pinch yourself moment for Foxcroft after a decade in New Zealand.

“Back then, in 2016, I was still a young, 18-year-old. For me, it was just to come to New Zealand and play club cricket for Taradale and see where this journey was going to take me.”

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