Cricket
Racing
Rugby
League
Motorsport
Football
Golf
Combat Sports
Basketball
Tennis
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Kane Williamson again likely to decline NZC central contract
Alex Chapman • May 9th, 2025 9:00 am
Photo: Photosport
Kane Williamson seems likely to opt for county over country later this year, after what is the largest indication yet that he may once again forgo a New Zealand Cricket central contract.
The Blackcaps are scheduled to play Zimbabwe and South Africa in a T20 tri-series in mid-late July, before two Tests against Zimbabwe in late-July and early August.
However, Sport Nation understands Williamson won’t be part of either squad, choosing instead to head to the UK to play in the County Championship.
The former NZ captain, who played for Gloucestershire in 2011-12, and Yorkshire between 2013-2018, signed a two-year deal with Middlesex in February.
Uncertainty around Blackcaps coaching roles | Ric & Chappy
The county season started in early April, but as per Middlesex’s announcement at the time, “The all-time leading Test run-scorer for New Zealand will be available for at least ten of Middlesex’s 14 Vitality Blast group fixtures, whilst also being available to play for the Club in at least five County Championship clashes in the second half of the season.”
It suggests that for the second consecutive year, the star batter will choose an international playing agreement or casual deal over a central contract.
Last year, Williamson became the first New Zealand cricketer under such a deal, which allowed him to take up opportunities to play in overseas leagues, while also choosing when he’d be available for the Blackcaps without ties to the domestic game.
This latest revelation with Williamson comes at a time when there's growing noise that players will continue to turn down central contracts.
Should NZC use MLC to develop domestic talent? | Sport Nation Mornings
As Sport Nation reported last week, sources have suggested that more players may opt out of central contracts for the 2025/26 cycle, which is due to be released in the next four to six weeks.
Williamson and Devon Conway were the only two on casual deals for 2024/25, while Finn Allen wanted one, though wasn’t offered one by NZC.
That saw him join the likes of Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne in declining central contracts in favour of flexibility to earn greater financial benefits and ply their trade in overseas T20 competitions, while also remaining available for some Blackcaps series and major tournaments.
NZC boss Scott Weenink confirmed to Sport Nation Mornings last week that they’re in the process of drawing up a contract list and are scheduled to deliver it to the Players Association in the next few weeks. He added that they’re “not expecting anything dramatic or a dramatic number of players turning down contracts. But who knows.”
