The inclusion of one new player and the return of two: these are the features of the 20-strong BLACKCAPS contracts list announced for the year 1 August 2015 to 31 July 2016.
SKYCITY Northern Knights allrounder Mitchell Santner makes his first appearance on the list of centrally-contracted players, while pace bowler Doug Bracewell and World Cup star Grant Elliott return after previously having been included in the 2013/2014 season list.
Mitchell Santner. Images: Photosport
BLACKCAPS coach and selector Mike Hesson said Santner, a left-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spin bowler, sealed his inclusion after an encouraging debut tour of England, where the 23-year-old played in all five One-Day Internationals, and the T20 International match at Manchester.
“Mitch is a player of genuine all-round ability,” said Hesson. “His appearance on this list is recognition of where we see his skills in all three forms of the game. My feeling is that we’ll see a lot more of him with the bat, in particular, as he gains more experience.”
Hesson said Bracewell and Elliott had forced their way back onto the list through the sheer weight of their recent performances.
“Grant hasn’t had a contract for a while, but returns on the back of excellent recent form, including at the World Cup. He’s a valuable member of our short-form sides.
“Doug deserved to return. He’s performed strongly and forced his way back into the fold – ultimately in longer-form cricket, although we continue to see him as a multi-skilled player.”
Hesson said the depth of international quality players being developed in New Zealand could be gauged by the quality of those who missed out on this occasion.
Spinner Ish Sodhi and allrounder Colin Munro are missing from last year’s intake, as is Kyle Mills, who has retired from international cricket.
Set criteria are used to rank players across all three forms of the game, with Tests receiving twice the weighting of One-Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.
The players with the 20 highest aggregate scores are then offered NZC contracts.
The first round of Major Association contracts will be announced on 22 July 2015.
The 20 players offered BLACKCAPS contracts for 2015/2016:
Corey Anderson – SKYCITY Northern Knights
Doug Bracewell – Devon Hotel Central Stags
Trent Boult – SKYCITY Northern Knights
Mark Craig – SBS Bank Otago Volts
Martin Guptill – Mondiale Auckland Aces
Grant Elliott – Wellington Firebirds
Matt Henry – Canterbury
Tom Latham – Canterbury
Mitchell McClenaghan – Mondiale Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum – SBS Bank Otago Volts
Nathan McCullum – SBS Bank Otago Volts
Adam Milne – Devon Hotel Central Stags
Jimmy Neesham – SBS Bank Otago Volts
Luke Ronchi – Wellington Firebirds
Mitchell Santner – SKYCITY Northern Knights
Tim Southee – SKYCITY Northern Knights
Ross Taylor – Devon Hotel Central Stags
Neil Wagner – SBS Bank Otago Volts
BJ Watling – SKYCITY Northern Knights
Kane Williamson – SKYCITY Northern Knights
