Who's in and out as Black Caps central contract list revealed

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Author: NZ Herald,
Publish Date: Wed, 17 Jun 2026, 2:09pm

Tom Latham and Devon Conway will hope to be celebrating together again as the Black Caps enter a block of 14 tests in 12 months. Photo / Photosport

The return of top-order batter Devon Conway and pace bowler Blair Tickner headline the Black Caps 20-player central contract list for the 2026-27 period.

As reported by the Herald last month, Conway returns to the central contract list after two years on a casual playing agreement.

Conway stepping back has allowed him to take up two deals in South Africa’s SA20 competition – playing for Johannesburg Super Kings in 2025 and Durban’s Super Giants this year.

But now, as the Black Caps are into a block of 14 tests in 12 months, beginning with the current three-test series in England, Conway has re-committed to national selection.

Tickner earns his recall to the list after compelling performances across all formats for both the Central Stags and the national side.

Tickner, notably, has claimed four or more wickets in five of his last eight innings for New Zealand, with his maiden international five-wicket-bag coming last month against Ireland in the one-off test match at Stormont.

Conway’s 146 international caps and over 6000 runs across all formats is a welcome return to the central contract list, with the top-order batter making himself available for all international fixtures during the upcoming contracting period (August 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027).

Black Caps coach Rob Walter said it was pleasing to see the return of both Tickner and Conway.

“Blair has worked extremely hard over the past few years and added new levels to his game,” he 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.

“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 while 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.”

Tickner and Conway’s inclusion means Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas come off the central contract list.

The Canterbury duo of Zak Foulkes and Mitch Hay retain their contracts after being added to the list for the first time last year and featuring for the Black Caps across all three formats in the past 12 months.

Foulkes has already chalked up 36 internationals and featured prominently in all formats during the first half of the home summer, playing a key role in the one-day series win against England with his seven wickets.

Wicketkeeper-batter Hay has 23 caps to his name after making his test debut in Wellington against the West Indies in December, where he scored 61 from his solitary innings and took three catches behind the stumps.

Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman both requested not to be ranked in test cricket and remain on the central contract list as white-ball specialists.

Discussions regarding casual playing contracts are underway, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.

Kane Williamson’s recent retirement from international cricket means he will not feature as a casually contracted player.