As more New Zealand international players choose T20 contracts over central agreements, Test captain Tim Southee has expressed a desire for greater cooperation between cricket boards and franchise leagues to ease the club-versus-country dilemma faced by players. New Zealand has been particularly impacted, with high-profile players like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne opting out of central contracts in recent years.
Finn Allen, who has signed a two-year deal with the Perth Scorchers in the BBL, and Devon Conway are the latest players to follow this trend. However, Conway has agreed to a casual contract, allowing him to participate in all nine Tests New Zealand will play this season, while missing only the white-ball matches in January to play in the SA20 tournament, similar to Williamson.
Addressing the issue during the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, Southee remarked that each cricket board is making decisions in light of the growing franchise cricket landscape. He mentioned that it would be beneficial if international boards and franchise leagues could find a way to collaborate, particularly to protect Test cricket, which many players still consider the pinnacle of the sport. Southee acknowledged that the proliferation of T20 leagues is changing the cricket landscape but emphasised that players like Williamson and Conway remain committed to New Zealand's Test matches, even without central contracts.
Southee, speaking about his own preferences, revealed that he holds the Test format "closest to the heart," despite not having had to sacrifice much international cricket for T20 leagues. During New Zealand's off-season, he played in The Hundred, where he was the top wicket-taker for Birmingham Phoenix, with 14 wickets at an economy rate of 6.81.
"Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me," Southee said, adding that formats like T20 and The Hundred keep players sharp and continuously improving, which benefits their skills across formats. New Zealand's upcoming schedule includes six Tests in Asia—one against Afghanistan in India, two against Sri Lanka, and three against India—before returning home to host England for three Tests in November-December. While the current overlap with T20 leagues may not significantly impact player availability this season, Southee cautioned that if the trend of opting out of central contracts continues, it could pose challenges for New Zealand Cricket (NZC) in the future.
When asked how the issue could be resolved, Southee admitted that there are no easy answers. He suggested that each board needs to figure out what works best for them and their players, noting that NZC believes their current approach is suitable for the next 12 months. Southee also pointed out that Williamson and Conway are unlikely to miss much cricket for New Zealand and that the casual playing agreements provide them with the flexibility to participate in franchise leagues while remaining committed to New Zealand.
As New Zealand prepares for their subcontinent tour, starting with a Test against Afghanistan on September 9, head coach Gary Stead mentioned that Southee might be rested for some games to accommodate more spinners in the playing XI. While Southee, who captains the Test side, expressed a strong desire to play in all the upcoming Tests, he acknowledged the need to balance the team according to the conditions, especially considering the challenges of playing nine Test matches in the coming months.
New Zealand has selected five spin-bowling options for their first three Tests in Asia—Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips—all of whom are capable all-rounders. The team management will decide the best XI for each game based on the conditions.
Southee shared that he and Stead had discussed the possibility of adjusting the team balance if necessary, understanding that it's essential to pick the best side for each Test, regardless of the location. He highlighted his love for Test cricket but recognised the importance of managing workloads and selecting the most effective team for the conditions.
Ironically, Southee's best Test figures came in India, where he took 7 for 64 in Bengaluru in 2012. His overall average in India is slightly better than his career Test average, and his record in Asia, including a five-wicket haul in Kanpur during his last visit, further highlights his effectiveness in the region.