Adithya Ashok, Muhammad Abbas Earn NZC Central Contracts

The New Zealand men's quartet of Mitch Hay, Muhammad Abbas, Zak Foulkes, and Adithya Ashok have been handed their maiden central contracts, announced by New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday (June 3).

The 20-player list announced by the New Zealand Cricket Board (NZC) does not include the spin duo of Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel, while Tim Southee, who retired from International cricket last year, is a notable absentee. While the talks are for a casual contract for Devon Conway, Kane Williamson, Finn Allen & Lockie Ferguson.

While Ashok returned to the side for the first time since making his debut in 2023, Hay and Abbas made an impressive start to their international career with stellar performances. Hay set a wicketkeeping world record with six dismissals in a T20I during his debut tour in Sri Lanka in November last year. Abbas smashed a record-breaking 52 off 26 balls on his ODI debut against Pakistan, the fastest fifty by a debutant in the men's format.

The selection process is managed by Bryan Stronach (High Performance Officer) & overseen by NZC. It involved NZ's head coach, Gary Stead, selector Sam Wells, assistant coaches Jacob Oram and Luke Ronchi, and Performance Manager Mike Sandle.

In a release, NZC stated,

"A statistical review was done based on domestic & International performances last year in all three formats. The NZC has selected 20 players for the central contract."

NZC Chief Executive Scott Wheenink praised the selections made in the central contract. he stated that players like Muhammad Yunus, Adithya Ashok, & mitch show the talent, skill & hunger to perform at the top level of cricket.

"We're thrilled & excited to announce these players in the central contract list, with a packed cricketing season ahead & the T20 World Cup in February 2026, these players have the opportunity to make a mark & inspire fans back home."

Central Contract list for 2025-26: Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitch Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, William O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young