NZC has announced the list of BLACKCAPS contract offers for 2021/22 with two Central Stags, ROSS TAYLOR and WILL YOUNG, set to be retained.

However, Test spinner AJAZ PATEL has not been retained in the NZC list of 20 players, after having been contracted at national level for the first time last year.

Taylor, Young, Patel and DOUG BRACEWELL are all in the 20-strong BLACKCAPS squad to tour England with the first Test at Lord’s in London starting 2 June, followed by the second Test at Edgbaston.

As per ICC regulations, the squad will be trimmed to 15 for the ICC World Test Championship Final against India at the Ageas Bowl, Southampton starting 18 June.

ROSS TAYLOR & BLACKCAPS COACH GARY STEAD | MBUTCHER

 

With Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips offered BLACKCAPS contracts for the first time, and BJ Watling's impending retirement, selector Gavin Larsen noted that “after such a successful summer in which we used a variety of players across the three formats, there was always going to be a squeeze on for positions and, unfortunately, Ajaz has been a victim of that success.

“He missed the start of the Test season with his calf injury and was unable to make it back into the side during a summer in which seam and swing dominated.

"However, we are well aware of Ajaz’s value as a frontline spinner, particularly in overseas conditions, and he’s therefore still very much in our thinking going forward."

AJAZ PATEL TRAINiNG AT BLACKCAPS CAMP THIS MONTH | PHOTOSPORT

Players have until 22 May to formally accept or decline their offers, as per NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association.

In compiling the list of offers, an NZC contract review group, managed by General Manager High Performance Bryan Stronach, considers a range of factors, including 'performances over the past 12 months and future playing value'.

Following the NZC process, the country's six Major Associations begin their contractual process with each MA offering 16 men's contracts for the coming season, for a total of 96 men's Domestic contracts across New Zealand.

The first-round Domestic offers will be made by 21 June 2021.

2020/21 CONTRACT OFFERS

ROSS TAYLOR - Central Districts

WILL YOUNG - Central Districts

Lockie Ferguson - Auckland

Martin Guptill - Auckland

Kyle Jamieson - Auckland

Glenn Phillips - Auckland

Trent Boult - Northern Districts

Colin de Grandhomme - Northern Districts

Mitchell Santner - Northern Districts

Ish Sodhi - Northern Districts

Tim Southee - Northern Districts

Neil Wagner - Northern Districts

Kane Williamson - Northern Districts

Tom Blundell - Wellington

Devon Conway - Wellington

Jimmy Neesham - Wellington

Matt Henry - Canterbury

Tom Latham - Canterbury

Daryl Mitchell - Canterbury

Henry Nicholls - Canterbury

WILL YOUNG, already in England, scored a century for Durham in the County championship | PHOTOSPORT

Article added: Friday 14 May 2021