Where: Lincoln University Grounds

When: 21 January 2009 - 27 January 2009

Format: Five rounds with three games per round.  The Final is played on the last morning and is followed by an Twenty20 tournament in the afternoon.

New Zealand Cricket’s 2nd XI competition, known as Provincial A, is played between the six Major Associations and has undergone several format and scheduling changes in recent years and has only been a regular part of New Zealand Cricket’s playing programme since the 1999/2000 season when it was reintroduced after stopping after the 1995/96 season.  The tournament plays an important role in NZC’s playing programme as it allows first class cricketers an opportunity to rehabilitate from injury and to regain form in order to force their way back into the last rounds of the State Shield or State Championship and provides an opportunity for well performing age group players to step up a level.

In 2002/03 it was staged in the Canterbury area with matches shared between Christchurch venues and NZC’s grounds at Lincoln University and, depending on the programme at Lincoln University, in recent seasons matches have been played at either Canterbury Country’s ground Main Power Oval in Rangiora and Lincoln University.

The format of the tournament has also changed over time with the focus shifting from two day cricket to a mix of three day and one day matches with a nearest neighbour round being played prior to the tournament section of the competition being played.  In the 2002/03 season the New Zealand Under 19 team also took part in the competition.

For the 2008/09 season there will be one round of one day matches and the top two teams will meet in a one day final with the remaining four teams playing each other in two Twenty 20 matches on the last day.

Previous winners: