New Zealand Cricket releases list of contracted players

New Zealand cricket board has announced its list of centrally contracted player for the upcoming season. The contracts run from August 1, 2016 through to July 31, 2017, increasing from 20 to 21 players as set out in the latest variation to the Master Agreement between NZC and the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association.

Batsmen Henry Nicholls and George Worker have been included for the first time on New Zealand Cricket’s list of 21 contracted players. Nicholls has played two tests and 10 limited-overs internationals for New Zealand since his debut in February, and the 26-year-old Worker played two ODIs and two Twenty20 internationals last year.

Leg-spinner Ish Sodhi and batting all-rounder Colin Munro return to the list after missing out last season.

Along with Worker and Nicholls they take places on the list, previously of 20 players, which have been vacated by former captain Brendon McCullum and his brother Nathan, who have retired from international cricket, and all-rounder Grant Elliott, who is now available only for T20 matches.

BLACKCAPS Selector Gavin Larsen said the limited number of changes represents of the consistent approach to selection.

“We’ve built a strong group of core players over the past couple of years and that’s been a key factor to the consistency of the team’s performance,” said Larsen.

“When we’ve brought new players into the group, we’ve been really happy with how they’ve adapted and performed on the international stage. Henry and George have made bright starts to their BLACKCAPS careers and we look forward to watching their ongoing development.

“After missing out last year, Ish and Colin have both worked extremely hard on their game, as we saw with their performances for us in the shorter formats this summer. They thoroughly deserve their contracts.

“It’s also exciting to see Ish make his way back into the Test squad for the upcoming series in Africa.”

The 21 players offered BLACKCAPS contracts for the 2016-2017 year are:

Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, George Worker.