Conway and Allen opt out of New Zealand central contracts to pursue franchise cricket careers

AUCKLAND: New Zealand’s top-order batters, Devon Conway and Finn Allen, have turned down central contracts from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) to focus on franchise cricket, the country’s cricket board announced on Thursday. Despite opting out of the central contract, Conway has entered into a casual agreement with NZC, similar to the one Kane Williamson recently signed. This arrangement allows him to represent New Zealand in international matches, provided they do not clash with his franchise commitments.

In a video posted by Blackcaps on ‘X’, Conway expressed his continued commitment to New Zealand cricket, stating, “Playing for the Black Caps is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket.” He emphasized that his decision was made with his family’s best interests in mind. “The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time,” Conway added.

This move follows a growing trend among New Zealand cricketers, with Kane Williamson recently opting to skip the white-ball series against Sri Lanka in January to participate in the SA20 league. Pacers Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson have also reached similar understandings with NZC, prioritizing franchise commitments while remaining available for select international assignments.