Mitch relishing making Hay on the biggest stage

Burnside West Christchurch University Cricket Club | August 15, 2025

Mitchell Hay has established himself as an ever-reliable option behind the stumps at international level.

His form for Canterbury and the Black Caps over the past 18 months saw him be rewarded with one of New Zealand Cricket's central contracts for the 2025/26 season, which will increase Hay's resources to develop his craft all year round.

The 24-year-old thought he'd be a chance, but admits the phone call from then-Black Caps' coach, Gary Stead, was very exciting.

"I got a call while I was in Bangladesh for the New Zealand ‘A’ tour from Gary Stead. So that was cool," Hay says.

"I knew I'd be close, I wasn't sure. You never really know how those things will pan out, especially with uncertainty around who will be pursuing franchise opportunities.

"I guess the main thing is being contracted for 12 months of the year. It's quite big. Just knowing you're a full-time professional cricketer, and the resources are going to be better to keep improving.

On the drive for the Black Caps.

"That's the thing I enjoy, is trying to get better and trying to improve every day," he adds.

Hay's rise through the ranks happened relatively quickly. He hasn't played incredible amounts of professional cricket, just 24 First Class matches and 38 List A games, albeit with a very impressive record; he is still firmly in the infancy of his career.

Hay has formulated some outstanding performances in his 18 outings at international level to date – 11 T20 Internationals and 7 ODIs respectively. He has had a Player of the Match cheque in each format, with the most impressive being a scintillating 99 not-out in an ODI against Pakistan at Seddon Park in Hamilton last summer. He also holds an international record, carding the most dismissals in a T20 international with six against Sri Lanka in Dambulla, leapfrogging legendary Indian gloveman, MS Dhoni.

"I think I've been quite fortunate that I've never got to a level and felt as if it is all a bit much," Hay says.

"I think even in Sri Lanka, where conditions don't get too much harder for batting, the knock in the second ODI where I got 49 in a pretty low-scoring affair was a nice confirmation that I could perform well at this level and contribute to wins for the Black Caps.

"The 99, not out at Hamilton, I think that was just another confirmation for me personally that I am good enough, but I also want to keep getting better so that I have those performances more regularly."

The Christchurch local is unique in the fact that he truly relishes every opportunity to get back to his beloved club. A trait not hugely common with those who have scaled the heights of international cricket.

Hay rolled out for Burnside West Christchurch on final's day of the Christchurch Metro Premier T20 Competition in December, a month after touring Sri Lanka with the Black Caps. Hay scored 46 off 28 balls against Sydenham in the semifinal, and played the Grand Final under lights at Hagley Oval, where BWCUCC dismantled Old Boys Collegians to claim the club's maiden T20 title.

Long-time Burnside coach Carl Huyser has known Hay since he was a high school student at Christchurch Boys' High School, and is adamant that scaling the heights Hay has reached was always on his radar.

Hay in action for Burnside West Christchurch University in the Premier T20 Semi-Final against Sydenham. PHOTO: Hartland Images.

"Mitch is the ultimate professional. He leaves no boxes unticked. He was always looking for ways to get better and extremely level-headed fresh out of high school," Huyser says.

"He was also technically strong right from the start and could change games with the gloves and the bat. All those balls his dad, Peter, threw to him in the Burnside nets as a junior laid some strong foundations."

Hay speaks fondly of his cricketing journey. Both through school and at premier level with BWCUCC, he loves being able to get back and help the club that forged his path wherever he can.

"I look back at it quite a funny journey, I think, starting my cricketing journey at Burnside as dad was the coach and coming through until I left to go to Boys' High.

"The thing I enjoyed about playing premier cricket is that there are guys of different ages and stages, but they all have great wisdom and knowledge to pass on.

"I think it gives the young guys a good perspective and a great outlook on life. When you come out of high school, go to university.

"At that time, you think you're really busy and you think, 'Oh, he's juggling uni and cricket, it's tough'.

Man of the Match at Bay Oval last summer. PHOTO: NZ Cricket.

"But then you talk to a few of the older guys, and they're juggling families, work, and cricket.

"That's when you learn a lot about time management, but also just being where your feet are and being present.

"Some of the mental stuff that those guys who have been around cricket for a long time show, like managing all that other stuff on top of cricket.

"The mental skills they have, without probably realising, are really impressive."

– Callum Hill.

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