Photo Credit: Instagram Photo of @tim_southee
The rising number of New Zealand cricketers opting out of national contracts to play in T20 leagues has negatively impacted player availability, according to captain Tim Southee.
This year, players like former captain Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, and Finn Allen have chosen casual contracts over central contracts with New Zealand Cricket, allowing them to explore franchise opportunities.
“NZC is working with the players and trying to find a solution that’s best for both the players and New Zealand cricket,” Southee said ahead of New Zealand’s Test against Afghanistan.
“It is obviously a small cricketing country in terms of numbers. It will be great to have as many people as possible available for New Zealand, but the way the world is going, it is getting harder and harder,” he added.
He also noted the challenges posed by the increasing trend and the difficulty of maintaining player availability. The Black Caps face a tough schedule ahead, with six consecutive Test matches in the subcontinent, requiring quick adaptation to different conditions.
Among the six Tests, three will be against India, a formidable opponent known for their strength on spin-friendly pitches, presenting a significant challenge for the Black Caps on Indian soil.
“Conditions are foreign to what we are used to, but we are excited about the chance of playing six Test matches on the bounce here in the subcontinent,” Southee said. He also highlighted the weather as a major challenge since their arrival.
With spinners expected to dominate, Southee, New Zealand’s pace bowling captain, may miss a game or two. He noted, “It is tough… six Test matches in this part of the world, and we expect spin to play a major role, though we also have four quality pace bowlers at our disposal. It’s about finding the right balance and managing workloads throughout the busy period.”
After the three-Test series against India, New Zealand will host England to wrap up their World Test Championship commitments, unless they qualify for the final.
Southee acknowledged the challenge of balancing busy schedules for multi-format players but expressed excitement about playing Test cricket again. “For us as a side to play nine Test matches in a short space of time is exciting and something we don’t usually get.”
After their loss to Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup earlier this year, New Zealand is approaching the upcoming Test with caution, recognizing Afghanistan’s growing potential despite their inexperience in the format.
“Afghanistan has been an improving side for a number of years, and anytime you come up against them, you know you are in for a fight, especially in these conditions. We saw in the T20 World Cup how dangerous a side they can be,” Southee said.
He also highlighted Afghanistan’s rising confidence from their recent successes in the T20 World Cup and last year’s ODI World Cup in India, noting their desire to grow in the Test format.
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