New Zealand Cricket Announces 2025–26 Central Contracts; Four Newcomers Included

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced its list of centrally contracted players for the 2025–26 season, featuring 20 cricketers, including four first-time recipients: Mitch Hay, Mohammad Abbas, Jack Folks, and Adi Ashok.

Newcomers Who Caught the Eye

• Mitch Hay (24), a wicketkeeper-batter, made headlines with an unbeaten 99 off 78 balls in an ODI against Pakistan. He also set a world record with six dismissals on debut during a T20I series in Sri Lanka.

• Mohammad Abbas (21) impressed on his ODI debut by scoring 52 off just 26 balls, setting a record for the fastest fifty on debut. He also claimed his maiden wicket by dismissing Mohammad Rizwan.

• Jack Folks (22) made his T20I debut against Pakistan as an injury replacement for Adam Milne and later debuted in ODIs. A capable all-rounder, he has shown promise with both bat and ball.

• Adi Ashok, a young leg-spinner, returned to the ODI setup after debuting in 2023. He recently claimed five wickets against Bangladesh A in Sylhet, cementing his credentials.

The final selection was made by NZC's Chief High-Performance Officer Bryan Stronach and head coach Gary Stead, based on performances across all formats, both domestic and international.

Leadership Comments

NZC CEO Scott Weenink stated:

“The inclusion of Mitch, Mohammad, Jack, and Adi signals the building of a strong foundation for the future. These players have already proven their potential and clearly have the hunger to establish themselves in international cricket.”

Notable Omissions and Ongoing Discussions

Players like Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, and Josh Clarkson have not been offered central contracts this season. However, discussions are ongoing for casual contracts with experienced players including Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Lockie Ferguson.

Centrally Contracted Players for 2025–26:

• Mohammad Abbas

• Adi Ashok

• Tom Blundell

• Michael Bracewell

• Mark Chapman

• Jacob Duffy

• Jack Folks

• 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