New Zealand Hand Contracts To Young Talent As Big Guns Opt For Casual Deals
Mitch Hay, Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes and Adi Ashok earned New Zealand central contracts for 2025-26.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay, all-rounder Muhammad Abbas, pacer Zak Foulkes, and leg-spinner Adi Ashok are the new faces who have earned New Zealand central contracts for the 2025-26 season.
Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, Tim Southee, and Josh Clarkson, all of whom held central contracts in 2024-25, were not offered contracts this year.
Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Lockie Ferguson have not accepted central contracts with New Zealand Cricket, with 'discussions on their casual playing contracts" ongoing.
Hay, a 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, scored an unbeaten 99 off 78 balls to anchor New Zealand's ODI innings against Pakistan earlier this year and set a world record with six dismissals in a T20I during his debut tour of Sri Lanka in November.
Twenty-one-year-old Wellington all-rounder Abbas hit a record-breaking 52 off 26 balls on his ODI debut against Pakistan in March, achieving the fastest fifty on debut in men's ODIs. He also showcased his left-arm pace bowling in the same match, claiming Mohammad Rizwan as his maiden ODI wicket.
Foulkes, 22, made his T20I debut for New Zealand against Pakistan last year, replacing the injured Adam Milne and impressing with his all-round skills. He made his ODI debut in November.
Auckland leg-spinner Ashok, 22, completes the list of newcomers, returning to the BlackCaps ODI squad earlier this year after making his debut in 2023, and most recently starring with a five-wicket haul in New Zealand A's win over Bangladesh A in Sylhet.
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink praised the new additions, highlighting the promising future of New Zealand cricket. He said, 'The contracts with Mitch, Muhammad, Adi, and Zak reflect the incredible talent coming through our system. These players have shown they can compete at the highest level, and their hunger to represent the BlackCaps is exciting. We're thrilled to see this group drive our team forward."
A statistical review of domestic and international performances across Test, ODI, and T20I formats informed the rankings, with the final 20 players selected based on past performances, the 2025-26 schedule, and their likelihood of representing New Zealand.
First Published:
June 03, 2025, 13:46 IST
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