Wellington Firebirds' Nathan Smith bowling. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Promising allrounders Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson have been awarded Black Caps contracts for the first time, effectively replacing Devon Conway and Finn Allen on the central contract list.
The elevation to the central contract list caps off a memorable twelve months for Oamaru-born Smith who was named the Men's Domestic Player of the Year at the Cricket Awards in March.
The 26-year-old was a standout performer in the Wellington Firebirds winning the Plunket Shield, leading the competition wicket-taking charts with 33 wickets at an average of 17, including career-best first-class figures of 6-36 against Canterbury.
His performances in the white-ball arena were also impressive - claiming 11 and 13 wickets in the Ford Trophy and Dream11 Super Smash campaigns respectively - his 4-5 against the Otago Volts in Alexandra the best men's figures in last season's men's T20 competition.
27-year-old Clarkson has featured in three ODIs and six T20Is for the BLACKCAPS since making his international debut in the 1st ODI against Bangladesh in Dunedin in December.
The hard-hitting allrounder broke into Black Caps contention off the back of a successful 2022-23 domestic campaign where his all-round performances helped his Central Stags lift both the Plunket Shield and the Ford Trophy.
Both players have also represented New Zealand at Under 19 level - at the 2016 ICC Under 19 World Cup in Bangladesh, alongside fellow contracted players Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra and Ben Sears.
Last month Devon Conway and Finn Allen opted out of the central contract system, following the likes of Kane Williamson, Lockie Ferguson and Adam Milne.
New Zealand player Josh Clarkson during the First Chappell-Hadlee Trophy T20 International 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Black Caps head coach Gary Stead said the elevation of both players had come off the back of impressive recent performances.
"Nathan's been on our radar for a while having been a significant performer in domestic cricket for some time," said Stead.
"He's been particularly impressive in red ball cricket and we think he has the skills to be successful in international cricket when he gets a chance."
Stead said Clarkson had earned his opportunity based off the skillset he offered and his recent international performances.
"Josh has been involved in both white ball squads over the past twelve months which shows the strides he's made in his game," he said.
"He's a hard-hitting player with plenty of skills and has shown in his chances so far that he can offer a lot with bat and ball on the international stage.
"Josh will provide depth and adds value given the volume of white ball cricket on the horizon."
BLACKCAPS 2024-25 central contracts
Tom Blundell (Wellington), Michael Bracewell (Wellington), Mark Chapman (Auckland), Josh Clarkson (Central Districts), Jacob Duffy (Otago), Matt Henry (Canterbury), Kyle Jamieson (Canterbury), Tom Latham (Canterbury), Daryl Mitchell (Canterbury), Henry Nicholls (Canterbury), Will O'Rourke (Canterbury), Ajaz Patel (Central Districts), Glenn Phillips (Otago), Rachin Ravindra (Wellington), Mitchell Santner (Northern Districts), Ben Sears (Wellington), Nathan Smith (Wellington), Ish Sodhi (Canterbury), Tim Southee (Northern Districts), Will Young (Central Districts).