Sport

Cricket: Neesham, Young and Blundell get Black Cap contracts

13:26 pm on 2 May 2019

Allrounder James Neesham, batsman Will Young and wicketkeeper Tom Blundell have all been offered Black Caps central contract for next year.

New Zealand Cricket has announced the list of 20 contracted players for 2019-2020 with fast-bowler Adam Milne, batsman George Worker and all-rounder Corey Anderson dropped from last season's group.

Injury has plagued Milne over the past year who hasn't played in a one day game for the Black Caps since October 2017.

Allrounder Corey Anderson decided at the start of last season that he was going to focus on limited overs cricket has also suffered from injury and health problems and missed out on the Black Caps World Cup squad.

Neesham, was centrally contracted in 2016-17 and 2017-18, was not included in last year's roster.

James Neesham Photo: Photosport

He's picked up the latest contract offer on the back of strong performances for Wellington, and the Black Caps one day side over the summer.

Young gets a central contract for the first time after impressing with the Central Stags and New Zealand A, as does Blundell, who played two Tests and two T20s for the national side a couple of years ago and has been named in the World Cup squad.

Under the contracts the top ranked player, in all likelihood skipper Kane Williamson, earns a base fee of $239, 540.

The bottom payment for players ranked 18-20 is $101,500.

On top of that the players earn $9000 per test, $4000 per one day international and $2,500 for Twenty20 matches.

"Jimmy had a very good season and made excellent progress with Wellington, New Zealand A and the Black Caps. He's made every post a winning one," said selection manager Gavin Larsen.

"Will receives an offer on the basis of the sheer weight of runs he scored last season, both for New Zealand A and the Central Stags.

"He would've received his first Test cap in March had it not been for the match being cancelled because of the Christchurch attack.

"Tom has acted as a back-up for BJ Watling on the tour of UAE, has recently played for New Zealand A and is in the World Cup squad as the wicket-keeping understudy for Tom Latham.

Players offered central contracts for 2019-20: Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Will Young.