New Zealand’s central contracts list has undergone adjustments, with Devon Conway opting for a different contract arrangement and Finn Allen declining a short-form central contract. Both players cited their interest in exploring opportunities in franchise cricket as the reason for these decisions.
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) confirmed that Allen declined a central contract offer to focus on franchise cricket, and as a result, was not offered a casual playing contract. Despite this, Allen will remain available for selection for the BLACKCAPS, with his inclusion in future squads being decided on a case-by-case basis.
Meanwhile, Conway, who is scheduled to participate in the SA20 league in January, chose to take a "casual contract," according to NZC. This means he will be unavailable for the white-ball series against Sri Lanka, which coincides with the SA20 in January. However, Conway will still be available for all nine upcoming Test matches for New Zealand, the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February, and the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa leading up to it.
NZC explained that the decision to offer Conway a casual contract was based on his commitment to playing for the BLACKCAPS outside the January window and his willingness to be available for key warm-up matches before the Champions Trophy, while also scheduling breaks to manage workload concerns.
Conway expressed that his decision was made with his family’s well-being in mind. He thanked New Zealand Cricket for their support and acknowledged that stepping away from a central playing contract was a difficult choice, but he believed it was the right one for him and his family at this time. Conway emphasised that playing for the BLACKCAPS remains his ultimate goal, and that he is deeply committed to representing New Zealand and winning international cricket matches.
NZC's CEO, Scott Weenik, commented on the changes, stating that they had adapted the contract system to retain top talent amidst the growing influence of franchise cricket. He highlighted the importance of flexibility in navigating the challenges posed by franchise opportunities, emphasising that NZC is working hard to keep their best players.