Former South Africa U19 cricketer Dean Foxcroft welcomed a first-class debut for Central Districts in New Zealand on Thursday.

The talented right-hander batted at three in the order, striking 10 before perishing to Otago seamer Nathan Smith on day one of an important Plunket Shield fixture at Molyneux Park in Alexandra.

The fixture also features Pretoria-born duo Willem Ludik and Christi Viljoen – and former Cape Cobras spinner Michael Rippon.

The hard-hitting Foxcroft struck a century against New Zealand in the 11th-place playoff of 2016’s U19 World Cup in Bangladesh. The Man of the Match performance, which spanned 137 deliveries and featured 13 fours and a six, carried the South Africans to a comfortable 138-run victory.

He has since forged a burgeoning career in New Zealand.

Rippon, meanwhile, is proving relatively successful for Otago.

The 27-year-old’s talent with the bat was on display during a fine 71 against Northern Districts in the Ford Trophy earlier last month, while the leg-spinner impressed against Auckland, Canterbury and Central Districts with the ball.

‘It is going very well. I just feel a lot of the work we have been doing over the last few years is starting to pay dividends,’ Rippon told the Otago Daily Times.

‘And on a personal note, I’m happy with the way I’m trucking at the moment and want to keep it going.’

Photo: Gallo