0:
New Zealand announced the central contracts for men players for the season 2021-22 on Thursday. Notably, a total of 20 players were awarded the contracts that miss BJ Watling and Ajaz Patel. While Ajaz Patel couldn't manage to get a deal, Watling has already made it clear that New Zealand's upcoming World Test Championship final against India will be his last international game.
On the the other hand, impressive performances from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips saw the two making it to the central contracts list. It is worth noting that this is the first time the two players have achieved the distinction.
Here are the New Zealand players who got central contracts:
Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
NZC selector Gavin Larsen lauds Mitchell and Phillips
“I’d like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming season and in particular newcomers Daryl and Glenn. Receiving your first national contract is a great moment in any player’s career and both thoroughly deserve their elevation,” said new Zealand Cricket selector Gavin Larsen.
READ MORE: New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman BJ Watling to retire from all forms of cricket
Mitchell has so far played 4 Tests, 3 ODIs and 15 T20Is for the Black Caps, scoring 226, 112 and 148 runs. He has a century each in ODIs and Tests. The player impressed enough across all three formats this international summer to bag a contract. Meanwhile, during same phase, Phillips amassed 366 runs at an average of 40.6, including a sensational 46-ball century, the fastest by a New Zealander in T20I history.
“There’s no question Daryl and Glenn took their games to another level over the summer and have added to the growing depth of talent we now enjoy,” added Larsen.