In a significant development, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has awarded fast bowler Adam Milne a central contract after a gap of five years. The NZC announced a list of 20 players who will receive contracts for the 2023-24 period, showcasing the board’s confidence in their talent and contributions to the national team.
Head coach praises Milne
Adam Milne, the 31-year-old pace sensation, made a remarkable comeback to the New Zealand side in October last year after a year-long absence. While he had previously represented his country in the T20 World Cup in 2021 and was part of the squad for the 2022 edition, Milne’s return to the One Day International (ODI) format was particularly noteworthy. Having last played an ODI during the Champions Trophy in 2017, his comeback signaled a resurgence in his career.
Coach Gary Stead expressed his admiration for Milne’s dedication and perseverance, acknowledging his hard work over the past few years. Stead praised Milne as a top-class bowler and highlighted his consistent performances during the recent home summer and the tour of Pakistan, which led to his well-deserved contract offer.
“Adam’s worked exceptionally hard and has shown good resilience over the past few years to be in a position to earn this contract offer. He’s always been a top-class bowler, and we were impressed by his consistent contributions in the recent home summer and the tour of Pakistan.”, said the Kiwi head coach Gary Stead.
Surprising inclusions and exclusions
The NZC contract list also featured some other notable inclusions. Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, and Blair Tickner, who joined the contract list last year, have been retained. They initially filled the spots left vacant by the retired Colin de Grandhomme and Trent Boult and Martin Guptill, who declined national contracts in the previous year.
However, there were a few omissions from the list. All-rounder James Neesham, who turned down an NZC offer almost a year ago to focus on T20 leagues globally, did not receive a contract this time around. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who was part of the previous set of contracted players, was also excluded due to his limited appearances, having played only two Tests during the current period.
According to the Master Agreement, all New Zealand players have until June 12 to accept or decline the contract offers put forth by NZC, allowing them time to consider their options and future commitments.
The list of players offered NZC contracts for the 2023-24 season is as follows:
Finn Allen, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, and Will Young.
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