Central Contract Opt-Outs Are Straining Player Availability For New Zealand, Says Tim Southee
The rising trend of Kiwi cricketers forgoing national contracts to potentially ply their trade in T20 leagues has adversely impacted player availability for New Zealand, skipper Tim Southee admitted on Sunday. The likes former captain Kane Williamson, Devon Conway and Finn Allen this year joined a long list of players who have opted for a casual contract instead of New Zealand Cricket's central contract in order to pursue opportunities within franchise cricket. "NZC is working with the players and they are trying to come up with a solution that's best suited for the players and New Zealand cricket as a whole," Southee said on the eve of New Zealand's one-off Test against Afghanistan.