Central Districts will have an additional contracted BLACKCAP in 2020/21 after our Test spinner AJAZ PATEL was offered his maiden national professional contract today.

Patel joins WILL YOUNG and ROSS TAYLOR who have again been offered contracts for the coming summer, Young yet to debut for the international side but back on track after seeing off shoulder repairs last year.

Patel is one of a trio of players receiving first-time contract offers by NZC today, alongside Aces and BLACKCAPS paceman Kyle Jamieson and Wellington Firebirds run factory Devon Conway. 

Under the terms of NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association, all players will have until 22 May to accept or decline their contracts, which will officially begin on 1 August 2020. 

NZC noted that Patel possesses a formidable first-class record and has been in the BLACKCAPS’ Test mix for the past 18 months — featuring most prominently away from home. National selection manager Gavin Larsen said the three new players all have compelling cases for inclusion. 

“It’s really exciting to offer contracts to Kyle, Ajaz and Devon who have all impressed over the past 12 months.

“We see Ajaz as the incumbent Test spinner at present, and he’ll be looking to stamp his mark on that spot after some superb efforts with the ball in the sub-continent.

Test bowlers celebrate together |  PHOTOSPORT

“Kyle’s performances against the might of India were nothing short of outstanding and at 25 years of age he’s certainly got a big future. 

“Devon’s form with the bat across all three formats these past two seasons made him impossible to ignore and he’s going to be a great option to add to the batting mix.” 

In compiling the annual list of offers, an NZC contract review group, managed by NZC’s GM High Performance Bryan Stronach, considered a range of factors including past performances, playing history, the playing schedule for the next twelve months, and likelihood of players being involved during that period. 

NZC’s WHITE FERNS contract offers are set to be released next week and Major Association contracts further down the track.

CDCA congratulates all players offered national contracts today and looks forward to seeing our BLACKCAPS representing us on the park once again next season.

Players offered BLACKCAPS contracts for 2020/21

AJAZ PATEL — Central Stags

ROSS TAYLOR — Central Stags

WILL YOUNG — Central Stags

Tom Blundell

Trent Boult

Devon Conway

Colin de Grandhomme

Lockie Ferguson

Martin Guptill

Matt Henry

Kyle Jamieson

Tom Latham

Henry Nicholls

James Neesham

Mitchell Santner

Ish Sodhi

Tim Southee

Neil Wagner

BJ Watling

Kane Williamson

Article added: Friday 15 May 2020