Full list of players with New Zealand central contracts for 2025-26: The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday announced the central contract list for the men’s team for the upcoming 2025-26 season, where it awarded 20 players with national contracts. All-rounders Muhammad Abbas and Zak Foulkes, wicketkeeper Mitch Hay and spinner Adi Ashok have been handed the central contracts for the first time.
The 24-year-old keeper-batsman from Canterbury, Hay, struck an unbeaten 99 off 78 against Pakistan earlier this year. He also set a world record with six dismissals in a T20I during his debut tour in Sri Lanka in November. All-rounder Abbas smashed a 26-ball 52 on his ODI debut against Pakistan, setting the fastest fifty on debut in men’s ODIs.
Foulkes (22) made his T20I debut for New Zealand against Pakistan last year, stepping in for the injured Adam Milne and impressing with his all-round skills. He made his ODI debut in November. Auckland leg-spinner Adi Ashok (22) rounds out the newcomers, returning to the New Zealand ODI squad earlier this year after making his debut in 2023, and most recently starring with a five-wicket haul in New Zealand A’s win over Bangladesh A at Sylhet.
According to NZC, “A statistical review of domestic and international performances across Test, ODI, and T20I formats informed the rankings, with the final 20 players selected based on past performances, the 2025-26 schedule, and their likelihood of representing New Zealand,” said NZC in a statement.
Former captain has rejected a central contract with NZC for the second time and is likely to miss the Black Caps’ two-Test tour to Zimbabwe next month.
Earlier, the kiwi veteran also decided not to accept a central contract last year, to leave himself free to play in T20 and other leagues around the world. He instead signed a casual contract last year and still played in nine of New Zealand’s 13 Tests in 2024, scoring more than 1,000 runs.
“Tim Southee (retired), Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, and Josh Clarkson, all of whom were centrally contracted in 2024-25, were not offered contracts this year. Discussions on casual playing contracts for players such as Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Lockie Ferguson are ongoing,” said NZC.
