Kane Williamson signs New Zealand Cricket’s ‘Casual Playing Agreement’; Check out what it is

Kane Williamson along with Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert, and Finn Allen chose not to be included in the list of centrally contracted players.

Kane Williamson and a few New Zealand players have received offers to sign a ‘casual playing agreement’ by the country’s cricket board, New Zealand Cricket (NZC), for the 2025/26 season. 

Senior players like Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Seifert, and Finn Allen chose not to be included in the list of centrally contracted players in New Zealand when it was announced in June 2025.

The players agreed to play on a casual basis for the 2025–2026 season, which has now been verified. This is the second season in a row that Williamson, Conway, Seifert, and Ferguson have been on such a contract.

All players with casual contracts will be eligible to be selected for the forthcoming T20I home series against Australia, England, and the West Indies in preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. Williamson is the lone exception, having chosen not to participate in the Australia series.

Since New Zealand’s elimination from the T20 World Cup group stage last year, when he resigned as white-ball captain, Williamson has not participated in a T20I.

What is a ‘Casual Playing Agreement’ contract of New Zealand Cricket?

Finn Allen’s situation is different; he was not offered a casual agreement last year, either after declining a central contract, but he has already been offered one for 2025–2026.

Players from New Zealand have freedom in relation to their international responsibilities under the casual playing agreement. As long as they are available for sporadic high-profile series and international competitions, it allows them to play franchise cricket regularly.

“To be eligible for the casual playing agreement, the players were required to commit themselves to the BLACKCAPS’ upcoming ICC T20 World Cup campaign, including being available for a specified number of series and games in the build-up to the tournament in India in February and March,” a statement from New Zealand Cricket read.

The arrangement allows the players to remain part of New Zealand’s setup, receiving coaching, medical assistance, and access to gym and cricket facilities.

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