New Zealand Cricket has unveiled its centrally contracted player list for the 2025–26 season, introducing four exciting new names: Mitch Hay, Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes, and Adithya Ashok—each earning a national contract for the first time.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Announced on Tuesday, June 3, the 20-man roster reflects a shift in the BlackCaps’ evolving core. Notably absent from this year’s list are Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, and Josh Clarkson, all of whom held contracts in the previous cycle. Meanwhile, contract discussions are still underway with key players including Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Lockie Ferguson, who may take on casual or flexible agreements.
New Faces, Big Moments
All four newcomers have made impressive strides on the international stage:
Mitch Hay, the young wicketkeeper, grabbed headlines by setting a world record for six dismissals in a single T20I during his debut series against Sri Lanka.
Muhammad Abbas showcased his explosive batting, smashing 52 off just 26 balls in his very first ODI appearance against Pakistan — the fastest fifty by a debutant in men’s ODI history.
Adithya Ashok, who made his international debut back in 2023, has rejoined the setup with renewed promise.
Zak Foulkes, another rising talent, has earned his place after a strong domestic season.
Behind the Selection
The selection process was led by Bryan Stronach, NZC’s Chief High Performance Officer, and included input from men’s head coach Gary Stead, selector Sam Wells, assistant coaches Jacob Oram and Luke Ronchi, and Performance Manager Mike Sandle.
According to NZC, the contracts were determined through a detailed statistical analysis of player performances across formats — Test, ODI, and T20I — with selectors considering recent form, potential future impact, and the upcoming international schedule.
Official Statement
NZC Chief Executive Scott Weenink praised the new additions, calling them a reflection of the talent pipeline’s strength:
“These contracts highlight the exciting future of New Zealand cricket. Mitch, Muhammad, Adi, and Zak have all proven they can thrive at the highest level. Their energy and ambition to represent the BlackCaps is exactly what we want heading into a packed season.”
“With major events like the ICC T20 World Cup in February, this group is poised to make a real impact and continue inspiring fans across the country.”
Full 2025–26 NZC Central Contract List:
Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, William O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young