New Zealand Test captain Tim Southee has urged cricket boards and franchise leagues to work together in a manner that the club vs country
choice can become easier for players as well. However, he added that as of now nobody seems to have any answer to the problem, but stated
that a casual playing contract will allow the likes of Kane Williamson and Devon Conway to be available for most matches as well.
Notably, New Zealand have faced issues when it comes to instances of players opting out of central contracts to focus on their T20 careers as well. Apart from Kane Williamson and Devon Conway, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Adam Milne and Finn Allen have also declined central contracts offered by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) as well.
Speaking on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai recently, Southee shared as quoted by ESPNcricinfo, “I don’t have the answers. Right now, I don’t think many people do. So I think it’s about working out what’s best for each individual board and their players. New Zealand Cricket seem to think that’s the best way for the next 12 months. I don’t think Kane and Devon will miss a lot of cricket for New Zealand. So for them to have the flexibility in doing that, but still also be committed to New Zealand, which I think that’s where the casual playing agreement comes in. So at this stage, obviously the franchise leagues and the franchise world is growing. It would be nice to see the international [boards] and the leagues working together in some way because, especially Test cricket, I think for a lot of players is still the pinnacle of the format.”
While Devon Conway has opted out of the central contracts system and has taken up a casual playing contract, Allen hasn’t been offered a casual contract either. His availability will be on a case-by-case basis as well. He will soon join Big Bash League (BBL) franchise Perth Scorchers on a two-year deal as well.
“Format-wise, I think Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me and the format I hold closest to the heart. I really enjoy the T20, the Hundred format keeps you young, keeps you guessing, keeps you thinking and trying to improve your game, and your skill set, which helps across the other formats,” Tim Southee concluded.
