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Five Blackcaps in line to be offered casual agreements in NZ Cricket contract list
Alex Chapman • June 3rd, 2025 12:00 pm
Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Five players are in discussions for casual playing agreements as part of the latest New Zealand contract list.
Last year, Kane Williamson and Devon Conway became the first to take up the deals, which allowed them further and more opportunities to play in overseas leagues, while also choosing when to be available for the Blackcaps without ties to the domestic game.
They’re in line to do the same again this year, and be joined by Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert.
Last year, Allen wanted such an agreement, though wasn’t offered one by NZC, while Ferguson didn’t accept a central deal, and Seifert wasn't offered one.
Ferguson was among those who turned down central contracts in favour of flexibility to earn greater financial benefits and ply their trade in overseas T20 competitions, while also remaining available for some Blackcaps series and major tournaments.
Tim Seifert's masterclass in T20 power hitting | Sport Nation Cricket
Meanwhile one of the stars of the side’s historic 3-0 sweep of India hasn’t been offered a contract.
Ajaz Patel and fellow-spinner Ish Sodhi are the big name omissions, with veteran batter Henry Nicholls included.
A lack of tests in the upcoming season is believed to be behind Patel missing out.
The left-arm spinner played five tests last season, taking 23 wickets, 19 of which were in India or Sri Lanka. But with home tests against the West Indies and away to Ireland and England, Glenn Phillips and Mitch Santner are likely to be preferred.
Patel was contracted for 2024/25, after not having a contract the prior season, while Sodhi played just one test last season, and has recently been preferred as a white ball option.
Patel’s central teammate Josh Clarkson has also been left off.
Nicolls played six one day internationals last season, while last test was December 2023 and his most-recent T20 three months before that.
Wicketkeeper Mitch Hay, allrounder Muhammad Abbas, fast bowler Zak Foulkes and legspinner Adi Ashok have all received contracts for the first time.
Abbas smashed 52 off 26 balls on his ODI debut against Pakistan in March, setting the fastest fifty on debut in men’s ODIs.
Hay whacked an unbeaten 99 off 78 balls against Pakistan earlier this year, and also set a world record with six dismissals in a T20I during his debut tour to Sri Lanka in November.
Foulkes made his T20I and ODI debuts last year, while Ashok returned to the Blackcaps squad earlier this year after debuting in 2023, and recently took a five-wicket bag in New Zealand A’s win over Bangladesh A.
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink said that “The contracts with Mitch, Muhammad, Adi and Zak reflect the incredible talent coming through our system.
“These players have shown they can compete at the highest level, and their hunger to represent the Blackcaps is exciting.
“We’re thrilled to see this group drive our team forward.”
2025/26 Blackcaps Central Contracts
Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Muhammad Abbas, Henry Nicholls, William O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young.
Sport Nation will once again be offering live ball-by-ball commentary of the Blackcaps and White Ferns across our radio network and the app for the 2025/26 home summer of cricket.
A dream ODI debut for Muhammad Abbas | Sport Nation Cricket
