Sparta 1888 is delighted to announce the signing of young kiwi prospects Will Clark and Sam Ferguson for their 2023 Topklasse campaign.
Will Clark
Clark is one of New Zealand’s brightest prospects. An explosive top-order batter, and brisk seam bowler, Clark starred for Central Districts age group level, represented New Zealand U19s in 7 ODI’s, and is now involved with the CD Stags in domestic cricket.
Such is Clark’s all-round talent, he joined an elite group of cricketers when opening both batting and bowling for CD in only his second Plunket Shield (first-class) match against Northern Districts. He has since followed up with scores of 41, in his third Plunket Shield match against Auckland (April 2022), and 29* on his Ford Trophy (List A) debut against Wellington (Dec 2022).
It seems only a matter of time till Clark cements his spot across all formats for CD, in a side that includes the likes of Ross Taylor, Ajaz Patel, Will Young, Blair Tickner, and Doug Bracewell, to name but a few Blackcaps players’ representing the Stags.
Clark is an exciting talent, one who has been earmarked for international honours since his mid-teens. He starred for CD at both the U17 and U19 tournaments, culminating with NZ U19 selection. He has then excelled for Hawkes Bay, with scores of 201 and 120 in recent seasons. Clark has been a key figure for CD ‘A’ too, with notable scores of 120* and 97 to earn a Stags call-up.
Sam Ferguson
Ferguson is an exciting batting prospect coming through the Central Districts ranks in New Zealand.
A schoolboy prodigy, British-born Ferguson enjoyed a glittering junior career for Lindisfarne College (NZ Junior Secondary Schoolboys), and both Hawkes Bay and CD age groups.
An attacking opening batter, Ferguson represented CD in two NZ Under-19 Tournaments (Dec 2019, Dec 2020), either side of his prolific Under-17 Tournament (Jan 2019).
During the latter, he became one of the only cricketers to register a double century in New Zealand provincial age-group history, hitting 200* against Otago U17s. He would go on to top the tournament run charts (418 runs at 83.60) to include another big century (144) against Canterbury U17s.
Courtesy of his junior exploits, he was selected for the New Zealand U19 World Cup training camp but was unfortunately overlooked for the tournament team.
Nevertheless, despite his exclusion, Ferguson has continued to excel in cricketing circles, making a successful transition to senior men’s cricket in the Hawkes Bay playing Premier cricket for Havelock North Cricket Club.
In recent seasons, not only has Ferguson been his club’s top run scorer, but he has the ability to bowl spin and keep wicket. He is also a keen, and active coach within the club, and has led the social side in recent seasons.