New Zealand Cricket offered yearly contracts to its players for the upcoming season on May 14. The list included 20 names and Canterbury all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and Auckland Aces star Glenn Phillips were the only two fresh faces in it. BJ Watling, the soon to be retired wicketkeeper-batsman and spinner Ajaz Patel made way for the two players. The players have time until May 22 to accept or decline their offers.
While Mitchell made his ODI debut this year against Bangladesh at home, the 29-year-old also scored his maiden Test and ODI centuries to go with it, rounding up a great season for Blackcaps. Phillips, on the other hand, was phenomenal in the T20Is, scoring 366 runs at an average of 40.6. His century against the visiting West Indies at Bay Oval in November last year was the icing on the cake for South Africa-born Kiwi player.
Gavin Larsen, Selector of the Blackcaps congratulated the newcomers to the list. In a press release, he said, “I’d like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming season and in particular newcomers Daryl and Glenn. Receiving your first national contract is a great moment in any player’s career and both thoroughly deserve their elevation.”
Players offered national contracts for 2021-22: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.