The Blackcaps look set to rebuild their squad as several pivotal members are unlikely to remain in New Zealand with the ever-present allure of franchise cricket around the world.
Following the team’s shock early exit from the T20 World Cup, captain Kane Williamson and Lockie Ferguson will not be under contract with New Zealand Cricket this coming summer, joining veteran Trent Boult who opted out in 2022 and sporadically made himself available for selection.
NZ Cricket CEO Scott Weenink revealed to SENZ’s The Run Home on Wednesday that the organisation hoped Williamson’s decision would allow him to prolong his international career, while staying committed to representing his country.
Considering how little Boult has played for the Blackcaps since turning down his central contract, it is little wonder that some within the cricketing fraternity are questioning how realistic those hopes might be. Let alone Williamson’s recent injury history.
Kiwi cricket commentator Ian Smith told SENZ Mornings that a lot of rethinking is needed to be done, due to the state cricket in New Zealand is currently in.
“I think we should start looking at things very very carefully,” Smith said.
“We never would have thought a year or two ago that Kane Williamson would sacrifice playing for New Zealand for the sake of T20 leagues around the world but now it’s an absolute reality.”
Smith believes these substantial losses will mean that the NZC will have to evaluate the quality of the domestic competition in New Zealand, stating that the other international T20 leagues are the reason why homegrown talents are moving offshore.
“ILT20 (International League T20) is extremely lucrative for those marquee players, the Big Bash is another one, and they make our Super Smash look pretty pathetic, to be perfectly honest, they make it very small bikkies.
“We don’t very often see overseas players attracted to it because the money is just not worth their while,” Smith said.
“If you said to Lockie Ferguson and Kane Williamson, here is three or four hundred thousand dollars to play in the Super Smash and stay home and do it, they’d be in boots and all, but we are miles away from those numbers.”
These departures will result in the NZC having to focus on what they can do in order to help retain players and keep them playing in New Zealand.
The former New Zealand wicketkeeper also noted that losing players is a part of team sport and is something that all teams experience, but something needs to be done.
“I would imagine Scott Weenink would be thinking it is time to act and I think that’ll probably happen,” Smith said.
“We have to consider that the New Zealand cricket team is going to have a new look about it in certain areas.
“I don’t think that it’s a bad thing, these things happen in cycles and we’re just hitting one now, it is just a shame that it is being emphasised by the fact that this was a very very average performance at the World Cup.”
That potential new-look Blackcaps side will suit up against England for a three-Test series in New Zealand later this year.
Prior to the commencement of their home summer, they will play one Test match against Afghanistan this September, followed by two Tests versus Sri Lanka in September-October, three Tests against India in October-November, plus six white-ball matches against Sri Lanka in November.
The dates of those upcoming tours are yet to be confirmed and announced by the respective host cricket boards.
Listen to the full interview: