Otago Cricket has announced its first 15 contracted players ahead of the 2025.2026 domestic season, with four new contracted players to Otago.  

Danru Ferns (transfer from Auckland), Jack Boyle (transfer from Central Districts), Troy Johnson (transfer from Wellington) and talented 18-year-old home-grown seamer Mason Clarke, have all accepted first time contracts with the Otago Volts. Dale Phillips, Travis Muller, Leo Carter Zac Cumming and Dean Foxcroft are missing from the 2024.2025 contracted player list.  

After eight seasons with Auckland, right arm pace bowler Danru Ferns who has played 120 games across all 3 formats and taken nearly 200 wickets felt the timing was right for a change. “It felt like the right time for a new challenge,” Ferns said. “After learning more about the direction the Volts are heading in, it was something that really excited me.”

For experienced former Canterbury and CD opening batter Jack Boyle, the connection to Otago runs deep. “I lived in Oamaru for the first five years of my life, so there’s always been a nice connection,” he said. “I’ve played against Otago plenty and always got on well with the guys, now I’m excited to be part of the group.” Boyle has played 127 matches scoring over 4000 runs including 7 hundreds and 17 half centuries in his career to date.

Right hand batter and outstanding fielder Troy Johnson was also drawn to the region by both family and opportunity. “My Dad’s from Oamaru and played rugby for Southland, so there’s a bit of southern blood there,” he said. “To represent the Deep South would be something I’d be incredibly proud of.” He has amassed 98 games including a first-class highest score of 194.

Wakatipu raised local, Mason Clarke, a NZ U19 player, has a big future ahead of him. His contracting comes as reward for an excellent start to his professional career last summer, where he picked up 4 wickets in his limited appearances.  

One further contract offer will be announced in the coming weeks completing the 16-man contract list.  

The Otago Volts can still call on the services of NZC contracted players Jacob Duffy and Glenn Phillips when domestic opportunities are made available between international duties.  

GM Performance Steve Martin is delighted with the commitment made by all returning players and the injection of new talent into the squad. “We are delighted with the calibre of the players who have chosen to come to Otago. Alongside a squad which has been building nicely over the past season, these players will add immensely to the character, culture and firepower of the Volts. It’s also exciting to be able to reward Mason Clarke with his first contract."

The 15 players who have been contracted are;

Matt Bacon, Jack Boyle*, Max Chu, Mason Clarke*, Jacob Cumming, Danru Ferns*, Luke Georgeson, Jake Gibson, Andrew Hazeldine, Llew Johnson, Troy Johnson, Ben Lockrose, Jarrod McKay, Thorn Parkes, Jamal Todd.

*Denotes new Otago contract.

Article added: Wednesday 25 June 2025