Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips is the only fresh faces in New Zealand Cricket’s 20 deep national contract list.
The 20 Black Caps players awarded central contracts to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) during the 2021-22 season on Thursday revealed. For the first time since break-outs, Canterbury all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and precocious Auckland Aces star Glenn Phillips are given national contracts. The pair are the only new faces on the 20 strong domestic contractual lists, with players nominated by the New Zealand Cricket Players Association until May 22 to approve or degrade offers under the NZC Master Treaty.
Mitchell took off his first tests and ODI hundreds and played his role in all three formats this international summer. Phillips owned the T20 arena, averaging 40.6 runs, including an exciting 46-ball century against West Indians at the bay oval in November – the quickest by a New Zealander in the history of the T20I.
For the first time last year the test expert, Ajaz Patel was not offered the next season contract in New Zealand, though BJ Watling, after announcing his imminent retirement from all crickets, was also absent.
Selector Gavin Larsen praised the 20-strong list for its strength and breadth. “I wish to congratulate every player in the next season on the agreements and particularly the newcomers Daryl and Glenn. Receiving your first national contract is a wonderful time in the career of each player and both deserve to be raised.
“There is no doubt Daryl and Glenn have taken their games to a different level since the summer and have increased the growing depth of talent that we now admire,” he said.
In assembling the list of bids and the NZC contract evaluation panel managed by GM High-Performance Bryan Stronach, a number of considerations were considered, including performance over the last 12 months and potential importance.
The NZCPA was consulted and validated, as outlined by the Master Agreement, as part of the formal contracting protocol.
