Top 5 Highest Run-Scorers in Plunket Shield 2024/25: Top 5 batsman Plunket Shield 2024/25
The Plunket Shield 2024/25 season has been a batting spectacle, with several players piling on the runs in New Zealand’s premier first-class competition. As of March 24, 2025, after Round 7, the race for the most runs has seen standout performances from across the teams. With the season approaching its final round from April 1-4, 2025, let’s spotlight the top five run-scorers who have dominated the crease with flair, resilience, and consistency.
1. Nick Kelly (Wellington) – 749 Runs
Leading the pack is Wellington’s Nick Kelly, who has amassed 749 runs in 7 matches and 14 innings. With an average of 57.61, Kelly has been a linchpin for the defending champions, striking at 61.14 over 1225 balls faced. His tally includes four centuries—topped by a high score of 161—and one fifty, alongside 91 fours and 5 sixes. Despite a single duck, Kelly’s consistency and ability to convert starts into big scores make him the standout batsman of the season so far.
2. Rhys Mariu (Canterbury) – 731 Runs
Canterbury’s Rhys Mariu sits just 18 runs behind Kelly with 731 runs in 6 matches and 10 innings. Boasting an exceptional average of 81.22—one of the highest in the competition—Mariu has been a revelation, scoring a colossal 240 as his best effort. His haul features two centuries and three fifties, with a strike rate of 70.49 across 1037 balls faced. Mariu’s 102 fours and 4 sixes reflect his attacking intent, making him a strong contender to overtake Kelly by season’s end.
3. Dane Cleaver (Central Districts) – 643 Runs
Central Districts’ Dane Cleaver has been a rock at the top, scoring 643 runs in 7 matches and 10 innings, with three not-outs boosting his average to an impressive 91.85—the highest among the top five. Cleaver’s unbeaten 151* headlines his campaign, which includes two centuries and four fifties. Facing 1309 balls at a strike rate of 49.12, he’s opted for a measured approach, hitting 69 fours and 7 sixes. Cleaver’s ability to bat long and anchor innings has been vital for his side.
4. Jeet Raval (Northern Districts) – 604 Runs
Northern Districts’ Jeet Raval has notched up 604 runs in 7 matches and 14 innings, averaging 50.33. The experienced left-hander has two centuries—including an unbeaten 120*—and two fifties to his name, striking at 49.50 over 1220 balls faced. Raval’s 75 fours and 4 sixes showcase his technical prowess, though he’s yet to fully dominate like the top three. His consistency, however, keeps Northern Districts in the hunt.
5. Thorn Parkes (Otago) – 490 Runs
Rounding out the top five is Otago’s Thorn Parkes with 490 runs in 7 matches and 13 innings, averaging 40.83. Parkes has fallen just short of a century, with his highest score an unbeaten 97*, but he’s racked up four fifties. Facing 909 balls at a strike rate of 53.90, he’s contributed 55 fours and 1 six, though a duck blemishes his record. Parkes’ steady accumulation has been a bright spot for Otago in a competitive season.
The Bigger Picture
The top five run-scorers hail from five different teams, underlining the even spread of batting talent across the Plunket Shield 2024/25. Nick Kelly leads the way, but Rhys Mariu’s higher average and Dane Cleaver’s unbeaten knocks make this a tight race. Jeet Raval’s experience and Thorn Parkes’ grit add depth to the leaderboard, setting up an exciting finish as the season nears its conclusion.
Will Kelly hold his lead, or can Mariu or Cleaver surge ahead with a big score in the final round? These batting stars have not only entertained but also shaped their teams’ fortunes. Stay tuned as the runs continue to flow in New Zealand’s first-class cricket extravaganza!
