New Zealand agree 'casual playing' contracts with five players ahead of T20 World Cup

    Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert and Kane Williamson have agreed terms to play on casual playing contracts with New Zealand to be available for the T20 World Cup.

    Kane Williamson Kane Williamson

    To be eligible for the contracts, the players were required to commit themselves to the national side for the T20 World Cup, including being available for a specified number of series and games in the build-up to the tournament in India in February and March.

    All players will be selectable for New Zealand's T20I home series against Australia, England, and the West Indies, except Williamson who has made himself unavailable for the matches against Australia.

    New Zealand Cricket CEO Scott Weenink said: "The casual agreements are a commitment from the players to NZC and the BLACKCAPS, and in return NZC will offer our full support to these players as part of our high-performance system.

    "The message from the players is that playing for the BLACKCAPS is hugely important to them and I'm pleased we've been able to agree terms to have them casually contracted for the coming season.

    “(Head coach) Rob (Walter) and the team have a massive period of cricket ahead, home and away, and I know myself along with all of our fans can't wait to follow and support."