Departure of Boult and de Grandhomme opens up contract spots

Blair Tickner
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Wellington batsman Finn Allen and Central District pace bowler Blair Tickner have been added to NZ Cricket’s central contract list following the departures of Trent Boult and Colin de Grandhomme.

Allen has played eight ODIs and 13 T20s while Tickner has played six ODIs and 11 T20s for the Black caps and both featured in the recent tours of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands, while Allen also played in the most recent series in the West Indies and Australia.

Black Caps coach Gary Stead said Allen has “huge talent and potential.”

“He’s shown he’s up to the international level in his limited opportunities to date… in particular, his match-winning 96 against West Indies on a difficult wicket in Barbados showed his class and maturity.”

“Blair’s been in Black Cap squads for all three formats over the past 12 months which is testament to his progress,”

“He’s a bowler who just keeps improving and we’ve been particularly impressed with his red-ball development, which saw him in the recent squads for the England and South Africa Tests.”

All rounder Jimmy Neesham was offered one of the available contracts but declined – on the basis of pre-arranged agreements he had already struck with overseas domestic leagues.

Neesham remains available for Black Caps selection when available.

With Tickner and Allen’s elevation to national contracts, a place on each of the Central Stags and Wellington Firebirds contract lists will become available.

-RNZ