Cricket: Hollard earns Hinds cricket call up

Photo: Photosport 

Taranaki cricketer Jessie Hollard has earned her first Central Hinds contract after several seasons pushing her case through the Central Districts pathway.

The 22-year-old New Plymouth-based opening batter and wicketkeeper has been included in the Hinds’ 13-player contracted squad for the 2026/27 season.

Hollard, who captains Taranaki and plays her club cricket for Stratford, joins fellow Taranaki player Grace Foreman on the roster.

She is yet to make her Central Hinds debut, but has been a regular for Central Districts A since 2022, making 26 appearances and also captaining the side.

Hollard was also part of three Central Districts under-19 campaigns, helping the side win the national title in her final season and regularly featuring among its leading run-scorers.

Currently playing for Bishop’s Stortford Cricket Club in England, in a press release Hollard said she had just finished training when Hinds coach Deepak Joon called with the news.

“It was a pretty surreal moment,” she said.

“The first people I told were my fiancé Daimen, my Mum and Dad, and my Nana and Poppa who stay up overnight in New Zealand to watch my games being live-scored.

“They have all been a big part of my cricket journey and continue to support me.”

Hollard said the contract was an important step in her career.

“It’s a great opportunity to be around and learn from experienced players, and I’m looking forward to being around the girls and seeing what we can achieve this season.”

In the release, Central Districts high performance manager Dave Meiring said Hollard had been on the organisation’s radar for several seasons.

“A lengthy injury break set her back for a bit, but Jessie worked hard over the last two seasons and performed well for the CD A team with both bat and gloves,” he said.

 

“We view Jessie as a back-up keeping option for the Hinds, and she’s a dynamic player at the top of the order who can transfer her skills across both formats of the game.”

Taranaki cricket fans will also get the chance to see Hollard and the Hinds at home this summer, with Pukekura Park among the venues hosting matches during their Hallyburton Johnstone Shield campaign.

The Hinds begin their one-day season in Palmerston North on November 14 and 15.

2026/27 Central Hinds squad

Aniela Apperley — Hawke’s Bay
Georgia Atkinson — Wairarapa
Elizabeth Cohr* — Wairarapa
Grace Foreman — Taranaki
Kate Gaging — Nelson
Jessie Hollard* — Taranaki
Yasmeen Kareem* — District TBC
Ashtuti Kumar — Manawatū
Emma McLeod — Wairarapa
Jess Ogden — Manawatū
Cate Pedersen — Hawke’s Bay
Kerry Tomlinson — Hawke’s Bay
Abby Treder — Manawatū

NZC-contracted White Ferns

Flora Devonshire** — Hawke’s Bay
Rosemary Mair — Hawke’s Bay
Hannah Rowe — Manawatū

* First Central Hinds contract
** First White Ferns contract