Neesham cut from national contract list

Black Caps World Cup star Jimmy Neesham has been cut from the national contract list, while Wellington Firebirds all-rounder Michael Bracewell received an offer for the first time.

New Zealand Cricket yesterday announced the 20-strong Black Caps contract list, with Bracewell receiving his first contract following his debut in the ODI series against the Netherlands in March.

Bracewell was also named last week in the Black Caps’ test squad to face England in June.

Central Stags spinner Ajaz Patel was the other new name in the list, returning to the fold after missing out last year.

Neesham, who has been a regular in the T20 and ODI Black Caps sides, is the major omission from the New Zealand top 20.

“He’s obviously disappointed. There’s no doubt about that,” Black Caps coach Gary Stead said of Neesham’s omission.

“Jimmy’s lost a New Zealand contract but that doesn’t mean he’s lost a contract within New Zealand, so there’s still an opportunity to pick up a domestic contract and be available to play domestically.

“It also doesn’t mean Jimmy Neesham won’t play for New Zealand again. It’s the process of contracting, it’s not the process of selection,” Stead added.

Players offered central contracts: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.