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Tim Southee, the captain of New Zealand’s Test team, hopes that boards and franchise leagues “work together in some way” to make the decision between club and country easier for players, as an increasing number of players choose to forego central contracts in favour of T20 deals overseas. High-profile players including Adam Milne, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Kane Williamson have chosen not to accept central contracts from New Zealand Cricket (NZC), leaving New Zealand among the hardest hurt.
The most recent additions to the list are Devon Conway, who has signed a casual contract, meaning he will play in all nine Test matches that New Zealand will play in the upcoming season, and Finn Allen, who will join the Perth Scorchers on a two-year deal in the BBL, who will also be joining the SA20 tournament. Like Williamson, Conway will only miss the white-ball matches in January.
“Yeah, I think that’s decisions that each individual board are taking into account,” Southee said in Mumbai on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards about the calendar clash. “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.
going and then the amount of T20 leagues that are popping up. To look at it from Kane and Devon’s point of view, they’re still committed to New Zealand cricket, and we’ve got nine Test matches coming up. So they’re committed to those Test matches. So as far as the Test side is concerned, it’s not too dissimilar. They’re still going to be there even though they don’t have a New Zealand contract.”
In his own words, Southee stated he has always held the Test format “closest to the heart,” despite not having had to give up much international cricket in favour of T20 leagues across the globe. During the off-season in New Zealand, he played in the Hundred, leading Birmingham Phoenix in wicket-taking with 14 and an economy rate of 6.81.
“Format-wise, I think Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me and the format I hold closest to the heart,” Southee said. “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.”
When asked how this problem could be solved, Southee said: “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.”