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Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell earn Black Caps contracts for first time

May 14, 2021
TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 29: Glenn Phillips of New Zealand celebrates his century during game two of the International Twenty20 series between New Zealand and the West Indies at Bay Oval on November 29, 2020 in Tauranga, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Canterbury all-rounder Daryl Mitchell and precocious Auckland Aces star Glenn Phillips have been offered national contracts for the first time following breakout seasons for the Black Caps.

The pair are the only new faces on the 20 strong national contract list, while the likes of Ajaz Patel and Tim Seifert have missed out. Patel earned his first contract last year, but has struggled with injury and did not feature for the Black Caps last summer.

Wicketkeeper BJ Watling has also been omitted after confirming his impending retirement from all cricket earlier this week.

Mitchell reeled off his maiden Test and ODI centuries and played his part across all three formats this international summer, while Phillips made the T20 arena his own, smashing 366 runs at an average of 40.6, including an exhilarating 46-ball century against the West Indies at Bay Oval in November - the fastest by a New Zealander in T20I history.

Selector Gavin Larsen praised the strength and depth of the 20 strong list.

“I’d like to congratulate all the players offered agreements for the coming season and in particular newcomers Daryl and Glenn. Receiving your first national contract is a great moment in any player’s career and both thoroughly deserve their elevation.

“There’s no question Daryl and Glenn took their games to another level over the summer and have added to the growing depth of talent we now enjoy.

“After such a successful summer in which we used a variety of players across the three formats, there was always going to be a squeeze on for positions and, unfortunately, Ajaz has been a victim of that success.

“He missed the start of the Test season with his calf injury and was unable to make it back into the side during a summer in which seam and swing dominated. However, we are well aware of Ajaz’s value as a frontline spinner, particularly in overseas conditions and he’s therefore still very much in our thinking going forward.

Daryl Mitchell reaches 50 not out on debut

“I’d also like to acknowledge BJ Watling and his immense contribution to the Black Caps,” Larsen added.

“He has been an integral member of our Test unit for many years now and his performances put him right up there with the world’s best wicket-keeper batsmen. But for me, it is more than just his on-field performance. BJ is a superb team member who extols the virtues of our “Team First” ethos and has been a marvellous ambassador for our game.”

In compiling the list of offers, an NZC contract review group, managed by GM High Performance Bryan Stronach, considered a range of factors including performances over the past 12 months and future playing value.

The first round offers of the 96 men’s domestic contracts by the six major associations will be confirmed by June 21.

Players offered national contracts for 2021-22: Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

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