The 2025-26 edition of the Plunket Shield, New Zealand's domestic first-class tournament, will start on November 18, with the eighth and final round scheduled from March 27. New Zealand Cricket confirmed that it would be the 100th season of the competition.

The Plunket Shield was introduced in 1906, originally competed for on a challenge basis. But it was not until 1921-22 that the tournament was contested over a round-robin format by all New Zealand first-class teams.

"The Plunket Shield was first awarded in 1906, by the Governor of New Zealand, Lord Plunket, and was given to Canterbury as the association with the best record that season," NZC statistician Francis Payne said in a release. "The 1921-22 summer was the start of the men's domestic first-class competition as we know it, with

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