Astle gains first NZC contract at 31

Twelve years since his first-class debut, Todd Astle is finally a fulltime Black Caps contracted player.

The Canterbury spin bowling allrounder was the only newcomer to the 20 offered a New Zealand Cricket contract, announced yesterday, while Otago’s Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom dropped off after fading from the national selection radar.

The new contract list features no surprises, and the fewest changes in recent memory. NZC confirmed last week the 2018-19 contracts – which start on August 1 – would decrease from 21 to 20 as negotiations continue towards a new Master Agreement with the NZ Cricket Players’ Association.

Players are ranked by coach Mike Hesson and chief selector Gavin Larsen across all three formats, with tests receiving twice the weighting of one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals. Last season’s performances, and a player’s likely contribution over the next year, are both factored in.

That made Astle, 31, difficult to overlook.

For several years one of domestic cricket’s leading spinners, and a consistent batsman, Astle stepped up when summoned in ODIs and tests. He played a key role in New Zealand’s day-night test win over England, his third victory in as many test appearances.

The rankings are not made public but Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Ross Taylor look a likely top-three and Adam Milne, Lockie Ferguson and George Worker potentially the bottom-three. Retainers were kept secret too, having ranged from about $210,000 for No 1 down to about $86,000 for No 18-21 last season.

Few players could count themselves unlucky as they go back into the domestic contract system which pays from September 1 to April 15.

The six major associations select their top-16 – an increase of one contract each – next month.

The writing was on the wall for Neesham and Broom.

Allrounder Neesham was dropped by Otago at one stage last summer, while batsman Broom scored six and two in ODIs against West Indies in December and was barely sighted since.