On Friday (15th May), the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced the central contract for the 2020/21 season. In this 20-player list, three players have been added in the agreement for the first time, including the 25-year-old tall pacer Kyle Jamieson, who made impressive ODI and Test debuts against India in last February.
Apart from the pacer Jamieson, the 31-year-old left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel and 28-year-old uncapped Devon Conway have also earned their maiden central contracts. Patel made his international debut in 2018 and has played eight Tests and two T20Is where he has taken 22 and only wickets respectively.
During India’s last tour of New Zealand, Kyle Jamieson made dream debuts in international cricket. First, he made ODI debut during Auckland ODI where he provided the match-winning all-round performances (25* & 2/42) and won the Player of the Match award.
Later, he also made Test debut during the Wellington Test against India. Once again, in his second Test, Jamieson produced crucial all-round performances that helped his team to won that match comfortably, and he also won the Player of the Match award.
After playing two Tests and two ODIs, the right-arm pacer Jamieson has taken nine and three wickets respectively. Also, the right-handed lower-order batsman has scored 93 Test runs, and 25 ODI runs.
In the media release, the Selection manager Gavin Larsen said, “It’s really exciting to offer contracts to Kyle, Ajaz and Devon who have all impressed over the past 12 months.”
“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.
“Devon’s form with the bat across all three formats these past two seasons made him impossible to ignore and he’s going to be a great option to add to the batting mix.”
Three New Zealand players have been removed from the previous central contract
On the other hand, Colin Munro and Jeet Raval have missed out the renewal of this central contract. Meanwhile, the 33-year-old Todd Astle, who retired from the first-class cricket in last January, also hasn’t been offered for the renewal of this central contract.
New Zealand players offered central contracts for 2020/21 season: 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.