Mitchell Hay

Mitchell Hay is a right-handed wicket-keeper batter. He was born on December 12, 2001, in Christchurch, New Zealand, and has emerged as a distinguished figure in contemporary cricket. He eventually started playing for his hometown Canterbury. 

Hay's cricketing odyssey commenced in the cricketing heartland of Canterbury. His innate talent was evident from a young age, and he rapidly ascended through the ranks of age-group cricket. His commitment to the sport culminated in his debut for the Canterbury senior team during the 2020/21 season.

His first breakthrough was in December 2020, playing for his hometown against Central District, he caught three catches and was a part of two run-outs. Although he didn’t bat, he earned his reputation as a specialized keeper. 

Nearly after a year-long wait, he made his T20 debut in March 2021, against Central District, scoring 29 runs at a strike rate of more than 180. 

In the longer format, he debuted against Otago in March 2022 in the Plunket Shield. He played a magnificent knock of 62 runs in his first innings, before taking three catches as a wicketkeeper. 

The 2023-24 season was a watershed period for Hay. His exceptional performances with both bat and gloves earned him the prestigious title of Canterbury Men's Player of the Year. During this season, he amassed a total of 989 runs across all formats, with a standout performance in the Plunket Shield, scoring 562 runs at an average of 51.09, including three fifties and a century. Additionally, his wicketkeeping skills were highlighted by 51 catches and two stumpings, underscoring his dual-threat capability. 

Hay's domestic exploits did not go unnoticed, leading to his maiden call-up to the New Zealand national team for the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka in November 2024, where he made his ODI and T20I debuts. Despite a challenging start with the bat, recording a two-ball duck. Hay etched his name into the annals of cricket history by achieving six dismissals in a single T20I match - five catches and one stumping. This feat set a new benchmark for wicketkeepers in T20 internationals, surpassing the previous record of five dismissals. 

During the Pakistan tour of Pakistan in 2025, when most of the New Zealand players were unavailable due to their IPL duties, Hay got another turn to showcase his skills. In an ODI at Hamilton, he slammed a match-winning unbeaten 99, helping his side recover from 132/5 to reach 292/8.

Hay's batting technique is characterized by a solid defensive foundation complemented by an array of attacking strokes. As a wicketkeeper, his sharp reflexes, anticipation, and agility have drawn comparisons to some of the game's greats. His ability to seamlessly integrate batting and wicketkeeping duties enhances the team's balance and depth.

(As of April 2025)