Photo Credit: New Zealand Cricket
Devon Conway will represent the BLACKCAPS on a casual playing contract this summer.
The all-format opening batter, this week selected in the BLACKCAPS Test squad for the overseas contests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, has confirmed his availability for all international fixtures in the upcoming twelve months, bar the six white ball games against Sri Lanka in January.
This means the 33-year-old’s available for all nine of the BLACKCAPS upcoming Test matches, as well as the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan in February, and the tri-series against Pakistan and South Africa ahead of it.
The decision to offer Conway a casual playing contract was made after the left-hander committed to not only playing for the BLACKCAPS outside this January’s window, but being available for key warm-up games ahead of the Champions Trophy, and scheduling breaks to manage workload issues.
Conway confirmed an opportunity to play in the next instalment of the SA T20 in January was the driving force behind the change to his NZC contract.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support through this process,” Conway said.
“The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time.
“Playing for the BLACKCAPS is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket.
“I’m excited to be part of the upcoming Test squads for an important period in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and am looking forward to being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February if selected.”
NZC CEO Scott Weenink said casual playing contracts were only offered on a discretionary basis but that Conway’s overall playing record, combined with his commitment to be available for the vast majority of BLACKCAPS games, sealed the deal.
“We’re delighted with Devon’s decision to commit to the BLACKCAPS – he’s a quality player who’s made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years,” said Mr Weenink.
“In the current environment it’s important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket – and this is another example of how we’re working hard to retain our best players.”
Mr Weenink reiterated NZC’s preference for selecting players on central or casual playing contracts for the BLACKCAPS.
Meanwhile, short-format batter Finn Allen has turned down a central contract offer to concentrate on franchise opportunities and has not been offered a casual playing contract.
Allen will remain available for the BLACKCAPS and his selection for upcoming squads will be on a case-by-case basis.
An announcement on the two players to replace Conway and Allen on the BLACKCAPS central playing contract list will be made in due course.
The New Zealand national cricket team, known as the Black Caps, made their Test debut in 1930 against England in Christchurch, becoming the fifth nation to play Test cricket. After waiting 26 years for their first Test win against the West Indies in 1956, they also played their first ODI in 1972–73 against Pakistan. New Zealand are the inaugural World Test Championship champions (2021) and have won the ICC Champions Trophy (2000). They have reached the Cricket World Cup final twice and the T20 World Cup final once.
