IND vs NZ: New Zealand Cricketers Leaving Central Contracts Is A New Reality Of The Modern Game: Tim Southee

Tim Southee, a star pacer, acknowledges that more New Zealand cricketers might follow the example set by their teammates and skip Central Cricket contracts in favour of lucrative overseas ones.

Southee discussed his incredible career thus far and the way cricket has changed, saying it has done so “quicker than anyone thought.”

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“It’s been an interesting few months. The landscape of cricket has changed quicker than most thought. I’m contracted to New Zealand Cricket at the moment and have been back to the IPL this year. We’ll see what happens over the coming years,” Southee said during a pre-match press conference.

By agreeing to play in Australia and the United Arab Emirates, Trent Boult was the first to opt-out of his contract in August, joining Colin de Grandhomme, who had completely quit international cricket.

This month, after being dropped from the Blackcaps’ plans, Martin Guptill became the third player to choose to terminate his national contract. The Melbourne Renegades later signed him, and there may be other deals. After Boult was released, NZ Cricket offered Jimmy Neesham a central contract; he too turned it down and joined overseas leagues.

“The landscape of cricket is obviously shifting from what it was two-three years ago,” Southee continued.

“To be honest, I haven’t planned too far ahead. There’s enough cricket to worry about in the coming months to avoid looking too far ahead. I suppose it’s something that all players are trying to stay with and think about as [part of] the game’s changing landscape, “said New Zealand’s pacer.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time”: Tim Southee

Southee asserts that in spite of the instances he sees around him, he has not seriously contemplated ending his own contract. Although Southee has a contract with the Kolkata Knight Riders that runs until the 2023 IPL season, he might be able to reach an agreement with another league.

“It is unique, as no one has done it before. But I believe for me, when you conclude your career and look back, you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished and leave the game in a better situation than when you started. I’ve had a great experience, and hopefully, there will be many more years – and a few more wickets – to come “Southee said during a pre-match press conference.

Southee is the leader of New Zealand’s bowling attack in all forms of cricket, and he still wants to help his nation win more matches by taking more wickets.

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