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New Zealand Cricket has announced their central contract list for the 2020-21 season. The Black Caps have handed out the contracts to 20 players with the inclusion of uncapped South Africa-born batsman Devon Conway highlighting the new additions.
Conway was cleared by the ICC less than two months ago to feature for New Zealand from August this year. Three years back, the 28- year old had moved from Johannesburg to Wellington in search of better chances. He has followed in the footsteps of the likes of Grant Elliott, Neil Wagner, and Kruger van Wyk, who went on to represent New Zealand after having played domestic cricket in South Africa.
Conway earned his maiden central contract after impressing in the last 2 domestic seasons. This season, he topped the charts in each of the 3 domestic competitions Plunket Shield (701 Runs), Ford Trophy (553 Runs), and Super Smash (543 Runs) scoring 1793 runs.
His sensational performance helped Wellington win the Super Smash and Plunkett Shield. Along with Conway, fast- bowler Kyle Jamieson and left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel have also earned the contracts. Jamieson had made his ODI and Test debut during the home season against India and was an instant hit.
At the same time, NZC has also let go of 3 names included in the contract list of 2019-20, with Colin Munro, Jeet Raval, and Todd Astle, who retired from red-ball cricket earlier this year, omitted.
“It’s really exciting to offer contracts to Kyle, Ajaz, and Devon, who have all impressed over the past 12 months,” New Zealand’s selection manager Gavin Larsen stated.
“Devon’s form with the bat across all 3 formats these past 2 seasons made him impossible to ignore, and he’s going to be a great option to add to the batting mix. We see Ajaz as the incumbent test spinner at present, and he’ll be looking to stamp his mark on that spot after some strong efforts with the ball in the subcontinent.
“Kyle’s performances against the might of India were nothing short of outstanding, and at 25 years of age, he’s certainly got a big future We see Ajaz as the incumbent Test spinner at present, and he’ll be looking to stamp his mark on that spot after some superb efforts with the ball in the sub-continent,” he added.
New Zealand contract list for 2020-21:
Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Will Young.
