New Delhi
New Zealand star batsmen Devon Conway and Finn Allen have turned down New Zealand’s central contract. However, Conway, like Kane Williamson, has signed a casual agreement and has declared himself available for international series except for Sri Lanka’s limited overs matches, as he will participate in SA20. Earlier, Kane Williamson had also taken the same route.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Finn Allen has secured a contract in the Big Bash League, due to which he did not sign the New Zealand contract. Both Conway and Allen were included in the contract list last month and will now be replaced. New Zealand will play an ODI tri-series in Pakistan before the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.
Conway thanked New Zealand Cricket for their support during this process. He said that it was not an easy decision to step down from the central contract. ESPNcricinfo quoted Conway as saying, “First of all I want to thank New Zealand Cricket for their cooperation in this. I have not taken the decision to step down from the central sports contract lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this time. Playing for the Blackcaps is still the biggest achievement for me and I am extremely excited to represent New Zealand and win matches of international cricket.”
Earlier, New Zealand vice-captain Tom Latham had criticised New Zealand Cricket and said they had to be more flexible with the central contract system. Conway and Allen join Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne in the list of players who have opted out of central contracts.