BLACKCAPS CONTRACT FOR BLAIR TICKNER!
It’s great news for Central Districts and great news for BLAIR TICKNER who has been awarded his first BLACKCAPS professional contract.
When Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme last month decided to forgo an NZC contract for the 2022/23 season, two spots became available on the BLACKCAPS contracted roster.
With the entertaining Stags paceman has accepted one of those spots offered by NZC, and that means a vacancy has also been created to add a further player to the Central Stags’ own professional roster.
That player will be announced in the coming days; meanwhile Tickner is over the moon to be joining fellow Stags WILL YOUNG and AJAZ PATEL on the BLACKCAPS’ top list, after having pushed hard for a spot over recent seasons.
PHOTOSPORT
Tickner has played 11 T20s and six ODIs since his BLACKCAPS debut in February 2019, and last summer was named in the Test squad for the first time - stepping up with two Plunket Shield five-wicket bags for the Stags last season.
His most recent international appearances were on this winter’s European odyssey, bowling a heavy ball against Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands as a fresh-look BLACKCAPS squad swept all three series.
Earlier this year the tall, aggressive wicket-taker with the beautifully choreographed action made an explosive ODI debut at Bay Oval, taking 4-50 in his maiden 50-over appearance for the BLACKCAPS, against The Netherlands.
The Netherlands were on the receiving end of his talents again on the winter tour as he added a new T20 International career best haul of 4-27 at Voorburg.
PHOTOSPORT
Contracted BLACKCAPS are available to play for their Major Association team when not on BLACKCAPS duties, and there’s no doubt we will still be seeing plenty of the big fella in green this summer, with all the contracted internationals available to play Dream11 Super Smash.
Tickets and saver deals for our New Plymouth, Palmerston North and Saxton Oval (Nelson) Dream11 Super Smash events are on sale now at family friendly pricing - or grab a Mates Pack for your besties these Christmas holidays!
Meanwhile you can meet BLAIR TICKNER in person next Friday when the Central Stags host our annual CD Golf Day in Hawke's Bay!
It's our LAST CALL to enter and enjoy a fun day out on the course with our players, and compete to win some wicked prizes.
We have just five team spots left for a 3-ball team (to enter with a Stag joining your team) or enter as a four-ball.
Sound like a bit of you? Pre-registration is essential, grab the chance today by contacting events@cdcricket.co.nz
Here's what today's NZC MEDIA RELEASE says about the elevation of Tickner, along with Wellington's Finn Allen, to the contracted BLACKCAPS list. Once again, massive congrats from us all to our hard-working paceman!
Blair Tickner and Finn Allen have accepted their first New Zealand Cricket central contracts, effectively filling the vacancies created by the departures of Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme, respectively.
BLACKCAPS coach Gary Stead said each of the newcomers to the central contracts list had been close to the top 20 announced in May, and had taken their opportunities in the interim.
“Blair’s been in BLACKCAPS squads for all three formats over the past 12 months which is testament to his progress,” he said.
“He’s a bowler who just keeps improving and we’ve been particularly impressed with his red-ball development, which saw him in the recent squads for the England and South Africa Tests.
“He knows the environment, understands his role, and bowls with good pace and aggression.”
Stead said Allen deserved his promotion of the basis of the skill-set he offered, and the form demonstrated so far.
“Finn clearly has huge talent and potential,” he said.
“He’s shown he’s up to the international level in his limited opportunities to date.
“In particular, his match-winning 96 against West Indies on a difficult wicket in Barbados showed his class and maturity.”
BLACKCAPS allrounder Jimmy Neesham was offered one of the available contracts but declined - on the basis of pre-arranged agreements he had already struck with overseas domestic leagues.
As with other non-contracted players, Neesham will still be considered for BLACKCAPS selection when available.
With T
Article added: Friday 16 September 2022
