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FWC on Sport Nation guideNZ Cricket confirms centrally contracted players for 2026/27
Sport Nation • June 17th, 2026 2:00 pm
Will Young, Blair Tickner, and Devon Conway | Photo: Kerry Marshall/Photosport
Devon Conway and Blair Tickner have been recalled to New Zealand Cricket's 20-player central contract list for the 2026/27 season.
Conway returns to the list after spending the past two years on a casual playing agreement, while Tickner's inclusion follows a strong 12 months for both the Central Stags and New Zealand.
The pace bowler recently claimed his maiden international five-wicket haul against Ireland and has taken four or more wickets in five of his last eight innings for the Blackcaps.
Head coach Rob Walter welcomed the return of both players.
“Blair has worked extremely hard over the past few years and added new levels to his game,” Walter said.
"He’s an excellent team man and has stepped into various roles for the side over the past few months and excelled in them.
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“It’s important we continue to nurture that depth in our bowling stocks, especially with a heavy diet of red-ball cricket over the next 12 months, so to have Blair contracted full-time will help maintain that depth.
“Devon has been a regular member of the side in all three formats for some time now, even whilst on a casual contract, so it’s great to have a player of his calibre back on the central contract list, especially with the amount of exciting cricket coming up.”
The pair replace Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas on the contract list, while Zak Foulkes and Mitch Hay have retained their contracts after breakthrough years in international cricket.
New Zealand Cricket said discussions regarding casual playing contracts are ongoing, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
Following his recent retirement from international cricket, Kane Williamson will not feature as a casually contracted player.
Blackcaps Central Contract List 2026-27:
Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young.
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