New Zealand’s Anton Devcich declines domestic contract to turn T20 freelancer

New Zealand batsman Anton Devcich hit gold in the very first match of the Global T20 Canada league. Playing for the Toronto Nationals he walked in to bat at No.4 and the team still had a huge task ahead of them. Devcich scored 92 off just 44 balls with 10 boundaries and six sixes in his knock. It helped the Nationals chase down 231 in 19.2 overs with 6 wickets in hand. He has now denied a domestic contract and wants to be a T20 freelancer and play in various leagues around the world.

He wants to represent the national team and thus is trying to improve his skills and gain experience from T20 competitions. Though he has denied the contract, Devcich will play games for the team on per match basis. Reports suggest that he is also trying to strike a deal with a Big Bash League (BBL) franchise.

“My goal is to represent the Black Caps and to do that I need to improve and gain more experience in pressure situations,” Devcich said in a statement.

“Although I will not be contracted I am still extremely dedicated to the association, they have been very supportive of my decision and have always led the way in all aspects of cricket in NZ,” he added.

He has played New Zealand’s domestic T20 tournament Super Smash and two overseas leagues – Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he represented Lahore Qalandars and was also a part of the Caribbean Premier League playing for Trinbago Knight Riders.

Another Kiwi cricketer Mitchell McClenaghan who turned a T20 freelancer last year not signing a contract with New Zealand cricket didn’t take the second offer from the Auckland team. McClenaghan plays the IPL, BBL, CPL as well as T20 Blast.

Here is the list of players who have been contracted by the teams:

Auckland: Finn Allen, Michael Barry, Graeme Beghin, Jamie Brown, Craig Cachopa, Mark Chapman, Danru Ferns, Michael Guptill-Bunce, Ben Horne, Ben Lister, Mitchell McClenaghan, Matt McEwan, Robbie O’Donnell, Glenn Phillips, Sean Solia, Will Somerville

Canterbury: Chad Bowes, Jack Boyle, Blake Coburn, Leo Carter, Andrew Ellis, Cameron Fletcher, Andrew Hazeldine, Kyle Jamieson, Ken McClure, Cole McConchie, Stephen Murdoch, Ed Nuttall, Fraser Sheat, Henry Shipley, Will Williams, Theo van Woerkom

Central Districts: Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Greg Hay, Christian Leopard, Willem Ludick, Ryan McCone, Ajaz Patel, Navin Patel, Seth Rance, Bevan Small, Ben Smith, Blair Tickner, Ben Wheeler, Will Young

Northern Districts: James Baker, Peter Bocock, Dean Brownlie, Henry Cooper, Sean Davey, Matthew Fisher, Daniel Flynn, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Nick Kelly, Scott Kuggeleijn, Daryl Mitchell, Bharat Popli, Brett Randell, Tim Seifert, Joe Walker

Otago: Matt Bacon, Warren Barnes, Neil Broom, Mark Craig, Jacob Duffy, Josh Finnie, Shawn Hicks, Josh Tasman-Jones, Anaru Kitchen, Michael Rae, Mitch Renwick, Michael Rippon, Hamish Rutherford, Nathan Smith, Christi Viljoen, Brad Wilson

Wellington: Hamish Bennett, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Andrew Fletcher, Lauchie Johns, Iain McPeake, Jimmy Neesham, Ollie Newton, Malcolm Nofal, Jeetan Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Ben Sears, Logan van Beek, Luke Woodcock, Peter Younghusband

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