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*Unofficial* New Zealand Black Caps Thread

Skyliner

International Debutant

'Kane Williamson has confirmed he won't be signing a central contract with New Zealand Cricket for the second year in a row and looks set to miss the Black Caps' next test series, against Zimbabwe in July and August.

The tests in Zimbabwe aren't part of the next edition of the World Test Championship – and are likely to be one-sided affairs in New Zealand's favour, if recent results are any indication – but they are two of just five tests the Black Caps are set to play in 2025, with the other three coming later in the year against the West Indies at home.'
 

Fuller Pilch

Hall of Fame Member
Why tf has Nicholls got an contract
Really really rough on Ajaz who took 11 wickets in the 3rd test in India to bowl us to 3-0!
I wonder if he'll go to Zimbabwe for the tests or if his NZ career is over. Perhaps Ashok will get a chance in all formats.

Also after 2 100s in Bangladesh Nick Kelly should be ahead of Nicholls.

We play a lot of T20s so one of Jacobs/Clarkson would be good.
 

Bahnz

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
Really really rough on Ajaz who took 11 wickets in the 3rd test in India to bowl us to 3-0!
I wonder if he'll go to Zimbabwe for the tests or if his NZ career is over. Perhaps Ashok will get a chance in all formats.

Also after 2 100s in Bangladesh Nick Kelly should be ahead of Nicholls.

We play a lot of T20s so one of Jacobs/Clarkson would be good.
Lol, Ajaz didn't get a contract but Nicholls did? Wtaf? I mean, I understand that there's not likely to be much call for Ajaz's services in the next 12 months, but that is absolutely ruthless given he took an 11fer in his last game. Also seems quite likely to prompt him to retire sooner than he otherwise might have.
 
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Skyliner

International Debutant
How much real influence would Stead have over the contracts list in what are likely to be the closing days of his reign(?)

No Ish Sodhi either.
 

Mike5181

International Captain
Why not Mariu over Nicholls? He hasn't been in the best of form but he averages 60 odd as an opener at 23 years of age in the plunket shield. He did all right in his ODIs against Pakistan and is exactly the type of guy you throw into those Zimbabwe tests.
 
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Zinzan

Request Your Custom Title Now!
Yeah, wtf is the loyalty thing with Nicholls? I initially thought it was just a pointless goodwill gesture to play him in the odd ODI last season when the main international players were unavailable, but another central contract is beyond a joke.

Furthermore, I see he's batted 8 FC innings for Worcs @ an average of 18. Maybe that's the reason....
 

NZTailender

I can't believe I ate the whole thing
I didn't even notice the Nicholls part because I was so wtf over ajaz losing out and Blundell still keeping his.

Bizarre choices.
 

SteveNZ

International Coach
Nicholls :shock:

Gone beyond a meme now. The bloke is going to get a central contract until the day he collects his pension

He's averaging about 17 for Worcestershire, hasn't played a Test for 18 months, a T20I for almost four years, and we don't really play ODIs (of which he's played 6 in the last 18 months).

You could contract Nick Kelly, Ajaz, anyone really.
 

RMBolton

U19 Cricketer
Really really rough on Ajaz who took 11 wickets in the 3rd test in India to bowl us to 3-0!
I wonder if he'll go to Zimbabwe for the tests or if his NZ career is over. Perhaps Ashok will get a chance in all formats.

Also after 2 100s in Bangladesh Nick Kelly should be ahead of Nicholls.

We play a lot of T20s so one of Jacobs/Clarkson would be good.
That seems to be the story of Ajaz' career: only get a central contract when there's an Asia tour coming up. It's sad, but the only ways he gets a regular contract are if he becomes a regular in home Tests, becomes a white ball regular or if he does whatever Nicholls does.

Also, T20 specialists never get contracts: just ask Tim Seifert (was realistically never in the running for one) or Colin Munro/Jimmy Neesham, who basically lost theirs when they got pigeonholed as T20 specialists. Also, Clarkson lost his central contract: he & Smith came in when Conway & Allen handed in theirs.
 

Immenso

International Vice-Captain
My first impression of that contracts list. Is 4 first timers, which is a bit wow.

But, IMO, 2 of those newcomers haven't done enough yet to earn a central contract yet. (Abbas and Ashok).

Abbas was quite disappointing in Bangladesh.

Depends if you see contracts as selection rewards, or as most-use in next 12 months. I suppose. Guess that first impression puts me in a 'selection reward' camp.

More comfortable with Ashok tbh, as hard for spinners to put up the numbers.

No doubt I rate Abbas. Should/could he a 3 format player fur a decade for us. Just earn it a bit more.
 

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