Dane Cleaver

Dane Cleaver is a seasoned right-handed wicketkeeper-batter who has become a cornerstone of the Central Districts (Central Stags) in New Zealand’s domestic circuit. Born on January 1, 1992, in Palmerston North, he is well-known in cricketing circles not only for his clinical work behind the stumps but also as the cousin of legendary former captain Kane Williamson. Cleaver’s domestic pedigree is formidable, highlighted by a prolific first-class career where he has amassed over 5,600 runs, including a memorable double century against Northern Districts in 2020. His ability to anchor an innings while maintaining a healthy strike rate in white-ball formats eventually forced the national selectors to take notice, rewarding his consistency with a maiden call-up to the Black Caps in 2022.

On the international stage, Cleaver made an immediate impact during New Zealand's 2022 tour of Europe, debuting in both T20Is and ODIs. His breakout performance came in just his second T20I against Ireland, where he smashed an unbeaten 78 off 55 balls to secure a match-winning victory for his country. While he has primarily served as a backup to established keepers like Tom Latham and Devon Conway, his reliability and sharp reflexes have kept him in the national frame for several years. Even as he moves into the veteran stage of his career in 2026, he remains a vital leader for the Stags and a high-quality option for New Zealand’s limited-overs squads, bridging the gap between experienced stalwarts and the next generation of talent.