NZ Cricket's 20 contracted players.

[sittingduck]

The 20 players to get central contracts for the next season (meaning a retainer of at least 75k a year plus match fees) is due to be released today.
The players were of course picked by the national selectors so I'm assuming almost all of the players going to England in May will get contracts. I say almost as I can't see how Aaron Redmond will get one when he's had no involvement in the test team and is at this stage a test specialist in terms of selection.
The list isn't normally released until May but it's been brought forward so as not to create distractions during the tour.
So the 20 WILL include: ( I think)

Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Mark Gillespie, Brendon McCullum, James Marshall, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Kyle Mills, Iain O’Brien, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Scott Styris, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor and Daniel Vettori.

That's 19 names, add the injured James Franklin to the list and we have 20.

As a reminder last year's contracted players were: Shane Bond, Stephen Fleming, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.
Although there have been some changes to that list since it was annonced as players retired or signed for the ICL.

[Andy Mellon]

I'm hoping that Mathew Sinclair doesn't get one so that he finally calls time on his international career and goes off to seek the Rupee and nurse his ego. He's no good to New Zealand cricket the way he's played or been dealt with over the years. Sinclair is the Kiwi equivalent of Mark Ramprakash or Graeme Hick methinks.

Oh. And the only contract James Marshall deserves is having one taken out on him (a little bit of hyperbole there, but I couldn't resist)

[sittingduck]

Originally Posted by Andy Mellon

Oh. And the only contract James Marshall deserves is having one taken out on him (a little bit of hyperbole there, but I couldn't resist)

I tend to agree although I feel the first time he played for the Blackcaps it was too early and he was bieng used wrong (as an opener in tests and a pinch hitter in ODIs). So I'd rather he had a second chance than Sinclair.

I feel he'll get a contract though cause the selectors would be hypocritical to pick Marshall to tour and someone staying at home for a contract.

[sittingduck]

I got my monday's mixed up, it's tomorrow the 20 are named, here's Dylan Cleaver's prediction (in order too, ooooo fancy)
1. Daniel Vettori ($174,000),
2. Brendon McCullum ($168,000),
3. Jacob Oram ($162,000),
4. Kyle Mills ($156,000),
5. Ross Taylor ($150,000),
6. James Franklin ($144,000),
7. Jamie How ($138,000),
8. Chris Martin ($132,000),
9. Jeetan Patel ($126,000),
10. Jesse Ryder ($120,000),
11. Tim Southee ($114,000),
12. Peter Fulton ($108,000),
13. James Marshall ($102,000),
14. Gareth Hopkins ($96,000),
15. Iain O'Brien ($90,000),
16. Mark Gillespie ($84,000),
17. Michael Mason ($78,000),
18. Scott Styris ($72,000),
19. Aaron Redmond ($72,000),
20. Daniel Flynn ($72,000).

So we only differ on the inclusion of Grant Elliot and/or Aaron Redmond - time will tell.

[sittingduck]

THe list of 20 was announced monday, Redmond got the nod. I'm surprised someone can get a national contract without having played at all for New Zealand. What will happen if he's an absolute flop on the England tour and someone else is used for the rest of the year after that. Redmond will be on a retainer and not being picked. Of course he might do well but it's quite strange.

[Andy Mellon]

I find the idea of Gareth Hopkins getting a contract bizarre too. He shouldn't get a single game this year, so why get an international contract? I only hope this isn't a sign that they're going to play either Hopkins or McCullum as a specialist bat!

[sittingduck]

I agree, but then I wonder who else there is to give a contrct to unless its one of the lot who had one last year and missed out this year like Sinclair, Papps, Cumming etc.
I remember Chris Harris got a contract for a year where he was injured for the first half and never picked in the second so I don't know about these selections sometimes.