Auckland, September 15 (HS) : In a significant move reshaping New Zealand’s cricket landscape, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and three other frontline Blackcaps have inked casual playing agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the 2025-26 season, the board confirmed on Monday.
Alongside Williamson and Conway, the list includes Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen, and Tim Seifert—a cohort representing some of the country’s most sought-after talent.Under the innovative arrangement, the quintet will retain the flexibility to feature in lucrative global T20 franchise leagues while remaining integrated with NZC’s high-performance ecosystem.
The players will continue to benefit from elite coaching, sports science support, mental skills programs, and access to top-tier training facilities—ensuring they remain at the cutting edge of international cricket despite a less rigid contractual commitment.
All five have reaffirmed their dedication to New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign, scheduled next year across India and Sri Lanka. However, the bespoke contracts mandate that each player must front up for a predetermined number of domestic and international fixtures in the lead-up to the marquee event, safeguarding the national team’s interests even as their global careers flourish.
Notably, Williamson has opted out of the three-match T20 series against Australia, beginning October 1 at Mount Maunganui, while Allen remains sidelined by injury. The squad for the coveted Chappell-Hadlee Trophy will be unveiled on Wednesday.
NZC chief executive Scott Weenink emphasized the board’s strategic intent behind the model. “With a World Cup on the horizon, it’s imperative our best T20 players are fit, focused, and available when it matters most,” Weenink stated. “
This casual agreement is a mutual commitment: players pledge readiness for New Zealand, and in return, NZC delivers the full suite of high-performance resources.”Weenink added: “The message from our players is unequivocal—representing the Blackcaps remains their foremost priority.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
