Conway offered first BLACKCAPS contract

Firebirds Devon Conway celebrates 100 runs during the Ford trophy cricket match between the Wellington Firebirds and Northern Districts at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Sunday the 26 January 2019. Copyright Photo by Marty Melville / www.Photosport.nz

Wellington Firebirds batsman Devon Conway is one of three players to be offered a central BLACKCAPS contract fir the first time, as part of a proposed 20-player list for the 2020-21 season.

The 28-year-old joins Auckland's Kyle Jamieson and Central District's Ajaz Patel on the 20-man list for the first time after another stellar year with the bat which was recently capped off with a second Domestic Men's Player of the Year award.

Conway’s brilliant year featured 701 Plunket Shield runs at an average of 87, including a highest score of 327 not-out against Canterbury; 553 Ford Trophy runs at 55 and at a strike-rate of 99, and 543 Dream11 Super Smash runs at 67, and at a strike-rate of 145.

Selection manager Gavin Larsen said Conway had a very compelling cases for inclusion.

“Devon’s form with the bat across all three formats these past two seasons made him impossible to ignore and he’s going to be a great option to add to the batting mix.”

Fellow Firebirds Jimmy Neesham and Tom Blundell have both retained their contracts after being added to the list last season.

Under the terms of NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, the players have until May 22 to accept or decline the contracts, which will officially begin on August 1.

In compiling the list of offers, an NZC contract review group managed by GM High Performance Bryan Stronach, considered a range of factors including past performances, playing history, the playing schedule for the next twelve months and likelihood of players being involved during that period.

As part of the formal contracting procedure, the NZCPA were consulted and expressed satisfaction the process, as outlined in the Master Agreement, was adhered to.

The WHITE FERNS contract offers are set to be released next week.

 

Players offered central contracts for 2020-21: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

 


Article added: Friday 15 May 2020