International cricketers who have rejected central contracts from their country to play in T20 leagues

Quite a few cricketers have opted out of central contracts from their countries to play in the T20 leagues across world.

With the growing stature of the shortest format of the game, the landscape is changing in the world of cricket. The ecosystem is witnessing a paradigm shift in the way cricket is running. The growing interest in T20 cricket has also made the boards originate their own franchise-based setup to keep the business alive in the game. The shift has also made ODI numbers go down drastically. 

A recent study done by FICA (Global World Players Body) revealed that over 49% of players will be interested in declining their central contracts and focus on T20 Leagues around the world. Kiwi all-rounder Jimmy Neesham started the trend and on 10th December, 2023 few of the big West Indian names opted out of their central contracts. Let’s have a look at the list of players who have declined the central contract offer to focus on franchise cricket. 

1. Trent Boult (New Zealand) :

New Zealand pace bowler Trent Boult has been a prolific wicket-taker for the Kiwis across formats. Kiwi fans got a shock few months before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 when he declined the central contract from New Zealand Cricket. Boult did make himself available for the mega event and selection in other bilateral series, but declined the central contract. Which makes him an open-market player, and will be available to represent teams in franchise-based T20 league cricket. 

2. Jimmy Neesham (New Zealand) :

Along with Left-arm pace bowler Trent Boult, All-rounder Jimmy Neesham also declined the central contract from New Zealand Cricket. All-rounder Jimmy Neesham informed that representing his country is a huge honour for him but he will not be signing a contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). Neesham represented Kiwis in all ICC events since refusing the central contract as well as playing in bilateral series for the Blackcaps. 

3. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies) :

West Indies middle-order batter Nicholas Pooran has also declined Cricket West Indies’ central contract. The T20 specialist, Nicholas Pooran will be aiming for lucrative deals in franchise cricket around the world while he continues to represent West Indies side in international cricket whenever he gets a call-up. Nicholas Pooran has been retained by Lucknow Super Giants in IPL and now he will be looking to play in various other leagues. 

4. Jason Holder (West Indies) :

Former West Indies skipper Jason Holder is also on the list of players who has refused the central contract from their board. Holder declined the central contract offered by Cricket West Indies to focus on T20 leagues around the world. He will also be available for selection for the national side along with other players in the shortest format of the game. Jason Holder will be a big fish to catch for IPL franchises in the upcoming IPL auction. 

5. Kyle Mayers (West Indies) :

West Indian all-rounder Kyle Mayers has been a magnificent player for West Indies. Mayers has also joined Nicholas Pooran and Jason Holder in making himself free for the T20 leagues around the world and declined central contract from CWI. Kyle Mayers will also be available for the national selection but declining the contract makes him available for the franchise-based cricket. Kyle Mayers has played 29 T20I games for West Indies. 

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