Zak Foulkes Biography: Birthday, Career, Stats and Records

Zak Foulkes is a New Zealand all‑rounder who bowls right‑arm medium and bats right‑handed for the national side and Canterbury.

Born on 5 June 2002 in Christchurch, Zak Foulkes is a right‑handed batter and right‑arm medium‑pace bowler who represents New Zealand and Canterbury. He made his Test debut in August 2025, claiming a five‑wicket haul, and has since featured in all three formats, accumulating 21 Test wickets, 13 ODI wickets and 22 T20I wickets. His highest scores are 23 not out in Tests, 22 not out in ODIs and 27 not out in T20Is, reflecting his role as a lower‑order batting all‑rounder.

Domestically, Foulkes broke into Canterbury’s senior side in 2022 and quickly became a key bowler in the Super Smash, finishing as joint leading wicket‑taker in the 2022‑23 season. He has also played overseas for Wynnum‑Manly in Queensland, Warwickshire and Durham in England, and was signed by the Chennai Super Kings for the 2026 IPL season.

Zak Foulkes: quick facts

Full name: Zakary Foulkes
Team: New Zealand

Zak Foulkes career statistics

Batting

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest	Average	Strike rate
Tests	6	6	45	23*	15.00	32.14
ODIs	9	5	49	22*	24.50	89.09
T20Is	22	14	100	27*	14.29	149.25

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best	Average	Economy
Tests	6	21	5/37	25.62	3.00
ODIs	9	13	4/41	25.92	5.62
T20Is	22	22	3/20	28.82	8.99

Figures as of 12 November 2026. Figures from Cricsheet (cricsheet.org), Open Data Commons Attribution licence.

Zak Foulkes’ early life

Zakary Glen Foulkes was born in Christchurch in 2002 into a cricketing family; his father Glen and his brothers Liam and Robbie all represented Canterbury Country. Growing up surrounded by the game, he developed his skills on local pitches and quickly stood out as a promising all‑rounder.

He attended St Andrew's College in Christchurch, where he captained the school side and excelled in the 2019 Gillette Cup, the national secondary school competition. During the tournament he topped both the run‑scoring and wicket‑taking charts, amassing 267 runs, including a century against Rosmini College, and claiming nine wickets.

Zak Foulkes’ domestic career

Foulkes made his senior debut for Canterbury in the Ford Trophy in February 2022 and followed it with his first‑class debut against Auckland in the Plunket Shield the following month. His performances earned him a professional contract in July 2022, cementing his place in the provincial setup.

He debuted in the Twenty20 format for Canterbury on 8 January 2023 against Auckland in the Super Smash, finishing the season as the team’s joint highest wicket‑taker with twelve dismissals from ten matches and helping Canterbury reach the final. His consistent domestic displays kept him in contention for higher honours.

Beyond New Zealand, Foulkes spent a stint with Wynnum‑Manly in Queensland’s T20 Max competition in October 2022, and later represented Warwickshire in England during the 2024 season before moving to Durham for the 2025 campaign. In December 2025 he was bought by the Chennai Super Kings for the 2026 IPL season.

Zak Foulkes’ international career

Foulkes earned his Test cap against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on 7 August 2025. On debut he claimed nine wickets, including a five‑wicket haul of 5/37, the best figures by a New Zealander on Test debut. To date he has played six Tests, scoring 45 runs with a highest of 23 not out and taking 21 wickets at an average of 25.62, with an economy of three runs per over.

His One Day International debut came versus Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 19 November 2024. In nine ODIs he has scored 49 runs, the top score being 22 not out, and taken 13 wickets at an average of 25.92, with best figures of 4/41. He has also contributed three catches in the format.

Foulkes entered the T20 International arena against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 21 April 2024. Over twenty‑two matches he has amassed 100 runs, a highest of 27 not out, and claimed 22 wickets at an average of 28.82, with best bowling figures of 3/20 and an economy of 8.99. He has taken three catches in T20Is.

Zak Foulkes’ franchise and league career

In the 2022‑23 Super Smash, Foulkes emerged as a leading bowler for Canterbury, sharing the highest wicket‑tally of twelve dismissals and playing a pivotal role in the side’s run to the final. His performances in New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition have established him as a reliable death‑over option.

He has also featured in overseas leagues, turning out for Wynnum‑Manly in Queensland’s T20 Max series, and spending the 2024 English season with Warwickshire before joining Durham for the 2025 campaign. His growing reputation culminated in a contract with the Chennai Super Kings for the 2026 IPL season.

Zak Foulkes’ records and achievements

Foulkes made an immediate impact on Test debut, taking five wickets for 37 runs against Zimbabwe – the best debut figures for a New Zealander. He has since amassed 21 Test wickets, with his best innings figures remaining 5/37, and maintains a respectable Test bowling average of 25.62.

In ODIs his standout performance came against England at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on 26 October 2025, where he recorded figures of 4/41. In T20 Internationals he has produced two notable spells: 3/20 versus Sri Lanka at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on 9 November 2024 and 3/25 versus Pakistan at Bay Oval on 23 March 2025. Across formats he has taken a total of 56 international wickets.

Zak Foulkes’ personal life

Foulkes hails from a cricket‑loving family in Christchurch, with his father Glen and brothers Liam and Robbie all having represented Canterbury Country. The family environment fostered his early love for the sport and provided a supportive backdrop to his development.

He pursued his education at St Andrew's College, where he balanced academic commitments with a burgeoning cricket career. His school years were marked by notable achievements, including leading his team to the 2019 Gillette Cup title and delivering a century against Rosmini College, laying the foundation for his professional journey.

Zak Foulkes: frequently asked questions

Which teams has Zak Foulkes played for?

Zak Foulkes plays international cricket for New Zealand.

When did Zak Foulkes make an international debut?

Zak Foulkes made a Test debut against Zimbabwe at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on 7 August 2025. Zak Foulkes made an ODI debut against Sri Lanka at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on 19 November 2024. Zak Foulkes made a T20I debut against Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 21 April 2024.