New Zealand Cricket (NZC) awards central contracts to 2 more players as they finalise the annual list

The talented allrounders Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson have been awarded their maiden central contracts by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Tuesday, September 3.

The NZC stated that Smith and Clarkson have effectively taken the place of Devon Conway and Finn Allen on the central contract list.

Smith, the Oamaru-born sensation, has had a remarkable year, as he was honored with the Men’s Domestic Player of the Year award at the ANZ NZC Awards. The 26-year-old played a crucial role in the Wellington Firebirds' successful Plunket Shield campaign.

He dominated the bowling charts, being a leading wicket-taker with 33 wickets at an impressive average of 17. His extraordinary first-class figures of 6/36 against Canterbury are proof of his skill and potential.

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announces central contracts for Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson

But Smith's prowess wasn’t limited just to the red-ball cricket. Smith’s impact in white-ball cricket was equally noteworthy, taking 11 wickets in the Ford Trophy and 13 in the Dream11 Super Smash.

Smith’s standout performance came against the Otago Volts in Alexandra, where he delivered a match-winning spell of 4/5, the best figures in last season’s men’s T20 competition.

Meanwhile, Clarkson, known for his explosive batting and reliable bowling, made his international debut in late 2022 and has since represented the Black Caps in both ODI and T20I formats.

Clarkson’s rise to prominence was fueled by an exceptional domestic season, where his all-round capabilities played a crucial role in the Central Stags' triumphs in both the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy.

Both Smith and Clarkson have a rich history in New Zealand cricket, having represented the nation at the 2016 ICC Under-19 World Cup in Bangladesh.

They will provide depth and add value to the Black Caps: Gary Stead on Smith and Clarkson

As these two allrounders set to take their careers to the next level, New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead has insisted that Clarkson and Smith were handed the central contracts because of their performance at domestic and international cricket.

Gary Stead said in a statement on NZC’s official website: “Nathan’s been on our radar for a while, having been a significant performer in domestic cricket for some time. He’s been particularly impressive in red-ball cricket, and we think he has the skills to be successful in international cricket when he gets a chance.”

New Zealand head coach has stressed that Clarkson earned his maiden central contract on the back of his skillset and his recent performances in white-ball cricket at the highest level.

Stead signed off by saying, “Josh has been involved in both white ball squads over the past twelve months, which shows the strides he’s made in his game. He’s a hard-hitting player with plenty of skills and has shown in his chances so far that he can offer a lot with bat and ball on the international stage. Josh will provide depth and add value given the volume of white-ball cricket on the horizon.”

New Zealand’s central contracts list for the 2024-25 season:

Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, and Will Young.