Mitchell, Phillips offered national contracts

CANTERBURY allrounder Daryl Mitchell and Auckland batsman Glenn Phillips have forced their way on to the national contract list.

The pair have been offered national contracts for the first time following impressive efforts for the Black Caps this season.

The duo are the only new faces on the 20strong list.

Earlier this week, veteran gloveman BJ Watling signalled his intention to retire following the World Test Championship final in England in late June. That freed up one slot, while desperately unlucky spinner Ajaz Patel has been dropped.

Mitchell cast off the tag of domestic journeyman and earned his promotion with maiden test and oneday international centuries this summer.

The 29yearold has proved much more than a handy stopgap for injured allrounder Colin de Grandhomme.

He has not been sighted much at the bowling crease though.

Phillips’ inclusion would not have required much thought either. He was in tremendous touch with the bat during the home twenty20 games.

He clobbered 366 runs at a 40.6 average, including a pulsating 46ball century against the West Indies at Bay Oval in November.

It is the fastest international twenty20 century by a New Zealander.

Phillips also showed he can send down a few tweakers. It is an area of his game he is seeking to develop.

National selector Gavin Larsen said the pair had taken their game ‘‘to another level’’ and ‘‘have added to the growing depth of talent we now enjoy’’.

“The Black Caps achieved unprecedented success, going through the season unbeaten for the first time ever and it was encouraging to see guys like Kyle Jamieson and Devon Conway performing so well after receiving their first contracts last year.

“After such a successful summer in which we used a variety of players across the three formats, there was always going to be a squeeze on for positions and, unfortunately, Ajaz has been a victim of that success.

“He missed the start of the test season with his calf injury and was unable to make it back into the side during a summer in which seam and swing dominated.’’

Patel’s value as a frontline test spinner, particularly in overseas conditions, means he is still very much in the selectors’ minds.

The players have until May 22 to accept or decline their offers.

The firstround offers for the 96 men’s domestic contracts will be confirmed by June 21.