New Zealand Cricket Faces Challenges as Players Opt Out of Contracts, Says Tim Southee

New Zealand cricket is dealing with a growing issue as more high-profile players choose to opt out of central contracts. Test captain Tim Southee has acknowledged this problem, attributing it to the ‘changing landscape of international cricket.’ Despite the challenges, Southee is hopeful that cricket boards and franchise leagues can find a way to ‘work together’ to address the situation.

As New Zealand prepares for a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida, Southee mentioned that the country’s cricket board is ‘working hard to find the best solution for both sides.’ He noted that there are many offers available now that weren’t around years ago. ‘At the moment, it’s about concentrating on playing for New Zealand and giving that everything,’ he added.

In recent months, several key players, including Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne, have declined central contracts. Among them, Williamson remains part of the squad for the upcoming Test against Afghanistan. This Test marks the beginning of a series of six matches in the subcontinent, with two more Tests in Sri Lanka and another two in India to follow. After these overseas fixtures, New Zealand will return home to host England in November-December.

‘If you look at it as a whole – six Test matches in the subcontinent – it’s exciting,’ Southee said. ‘It’s probably something we haven’t done, in my time anyway. It’s a great challenge for the side,’ he added.

Southee also praised the Afghanistan side, noting their recent success in other formats. ‘They are still new to the red-ball format, but we’ve seen in the other formats what a side they can be,’ he said. ‘Just recently in the T20 World Cup, last year in the one-day World Cup, they are an improving side. They’ve had great success in those two formats, and I am sure as a country they want to have success in the longer format as well,’ Southee noted.

New Zealand will be playing six Tests in the subcontinent, which could mean that the quick bowlers take a backseat at times and the spinners take center stage. New Zealand has some quality left-arm spinners like Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, and Mitchell Santner, along with the off-spin of Michael Bracewell and part-time off-spin of Glenn Phillips. Southee knows that the Afghanistan spinners could be a serious threat in Asia. ‘That part of the world, spin is going to play a big part. They’ve got some quality spinners, mixed in with some quality quicks as well,’ Southee said. ‘We’ve seen in other formats that’s been their strength, their bowling unit, particularly their spinners. It’s going to be an exciting challenge,’ he noted.

New Zealand will play one Test against Afghanistan from September 9 to 13, after which they will travel to Sri Lanka before returning to India.