Kane Williamson Again Turns Down Central Contract With New Zealand Cricket Board 

Mumbai, June 3: Ex-captain Kane Williamson has again rejected a central contract with New Zealand Cricket and likely will miss the Black Caps two test tour to Zimbabwe next month. Williamson also decided not to accept a central contract last year, to leave himself free to play in Twenty20 and other leagues around the world. He instead signed a casual contract last year and still played in nine of New Zealand's 13 tests in 2024, scoring more than 1,000 runs. Former New Zealand Captain Kane Williamson Roots for Tweaks in ICC World Test Championship, Designated Windows in International Cricket.

Williamson was absent from the list of 20 contracted players released by New Zealand Cricket on Tuesday, along with Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Lockie Ferguson who also are playing in T20 leagues overseas. He is expected again to sign a casual contract.

Allrounders Muhammad Abbas and Zak Foulkes, wicketkeeper Mitch Hay and spinner Adi Ashok are contracted for the first time in the absence of Tim Southee, who has retired, Ish Sodhi, Ajaz Patel and Josh Clarkson.

Williamson currently is playing for Middlesex in the English County Championship and T20 Blast and for the London Spirit in The Hundred.  He is expected to have county commitments while New Zealand plays Zimbabwe in late July and early August. Kane Williamson Joins Karachi Kings for PSL 2025 After Finishing IPL 2025 Commentary Stint (Watch Video).

In a news conference in London last month, Williamson said that his future on a casual contract is “just a work in progress and New Zealand Cricket have been great with working with that and I've been fortunate throughout.”

The 20 contracted players were ranked on domestic and international performances over the past year.

“The contracts with Mitch, Muhammad, Adi and Zak reflect the incredible talent coming through our system. These players have shown they can compete at the highest level and their hunger to represent the Black Caps is exciting. We're thrilled to see this group drive our team forward,” New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)