ExxonMobil Guyana GSL in Guyana will be career highlight for Stags players – Bruce

Central Stags captain Tom Bruce says his side’s invitation to the 2025 ExxonMobil Global Super League (GSL) in Guyana will be remembered as a career highlight for many of his teammates.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity, and we’re pretty fortunate that this has come along in the year that we’ve won the Dream11 Super Smash for the first time in five or six years,” said Bruce.
The rare overseas T20 tournament, scheduled for mid-July, fits well with the off-season plans of the squad, according to Bruce.
“A lot of the guys are over in the UK at the moment, and three are in Bangladesh with New Zealand A, so they’ll all have played a fair bit of cricket leading into this tournament in July.
“Those of us back in New Zealand will be getting our local training in, and we won’t be leaving any stone unturned. Everyone’s excited to put our best foot forward and try to win the thing.”

First domestic team to compete at the GSL
The Stags will be the first New Zealand side and the first domestic team globally to compete in the GSL, which previously only featured independently operated franchise T20 squads.
Josh Clarkson is the only Stags player with recent Caribbean experience, having represented St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
Bruce has already reached out to other players with experience in Guyana to help prepare for the conditions.
“We’re expecting slow, turning wickets and spinning conditions,” he noted. “So that’s what we’ll be preparing for, starting in June.”

World-class
preparation in Hawke’s Bay
The team will prepare using their top-tier facilities at the Rodney Green Foundation Turf Training Facility in Hawke’s Bay, which features grass marquees designed to replicate diverse playing conditions.

“It’s ideal for preparing for unfamiliar conditions, and training for a T20 tournament like this is always enjoyable,” Bruce said.
“Franchise players are used to flying in and out of short tournaments, but for us as a domestic unit, this is a unique experience we’ll talk about for years.”

Bruce finds white-ball form ahead of international challenge
Bruce is entering the GSL after a standout season, having won both the Central Stags and New Zealand Cricket’s Men’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year award.
“I hadn’t been in great white-ball form the last couple of seasons, so it was nice to get back to playing my game — free at the crease, trying to whack the ball,” said Bruce.
While acknowledging the pressure of captaincy, Bruce said the enjoyment of the game helped him thrive last season.
“It just came off a fair bit last summer, and it made for a really enjoyable season.”

Tom Bruce’s T20 record
3,300+ runs in professional T20s; 2,497 runs in 92 appearances for Central Stags
Average: 33.29 | 17 half-centuries | Best: 93*
He’s also played in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Chattogram Challengers, and in England’s Vitality Blast for Sussex Sharks and Lancashire.
2024/25 marked Bruce’s 10th season for the Stags in both the Ford Trophy and Super Smash formats. He is set to complete a decade in the Plunket Shield next season.

Still motivated and aiming high
At 33, Bruce shows no sign of slowing down, despite a brief stint with the BLACKCAPS and a leadership role with New Zealand A.
“You want to contribute your best for the team. Winning is an addictive feeling,” he said. “As long as I’m fit, healthy, and still performing, retirement’s not on the radar.” (Central Districts Cricket Association- Cricexec)