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As New Zealand gear up for an intense cricketing season, openers Devon Conway and Finn Allen have made significant decisions regarding their central contracts with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Conway, at 33, has opted for a casual contract, while the 25-year-old Allen has declined a central contract to focus more on franchise cricket opportunities.
Devon Conway discloses the chief reason
Conway, selected for New Zealand’s overseas Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, has pledged his commitment to all international fixtures over the next 12 months, with the exception of the white-ball series against Sri Lanka in January. Despite moving away from a central contract, Conway has expressed his dedication to representing New Zealand, particularly in crucial tournaments like the ICC World Test Championship and the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
“Firstly, I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support through this process. 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 said on a video released by the Blackcaps on X.
Addressing his decision, Conway thanked NZC for its support and cited family considerations as a key reason for opting for a casual contract. He emphasized that playing for the Blackcaps remains the pinnacle of his career and that he remains passionate about contributing to New Zealand’s success in international cricket.
“Playing for the Blackcaps is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket. I’m excited to be part of the upcoming Test squads for an important period in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and am looking forward to being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February if selected,” Conway concluded.
Hear from Devon Conway on his decision to opt for a casual playing agreement for the upcoming season and his excitement to represent the BLACKCAPS in the upcoming Test series' against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Read more | https://t.co/Hh2yQjinmL pic.twitter.com/O5mRegTCxu
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) August 15, 2024
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New Zealand cricket CEO’s perspective on Conway’s decision
Trent Boult and Martin Guptill had previously moved away from national contracts in 2022 to pursue franchise opportunities, with Kane Williamson doing so earlier this year. NZC CEO Scott Weenink acknowledged Conway’s commitment to the national team and emphasized the importance of flexibility in the current cricketing environment. Weenink expressed his satisfaction with Conway’s decision to continue contributing to the Blackcaps through a casual contract, highlighting the player’s quality and importance to the team.
“We’re delighted with Devon’s decision to commit to the Blackcaps – he’s a quality player who’s made a strong contribution to the team over the past few years. In the current environment it’s important to have flexibility in our system to navigate some of the challenges posed by franchise cricket – and this is another example of how we’re working hard to retain our best players,” Weenink was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times.
