New Zealand cricketers Devon Conway, Finn Allen opt out of central contracts to focus on T20 leagues

Devon Conway is slated to play in SA20 League, while Finn Allen is set to appear in BBL next year.

Devon Conway and Finn Allen became the latest New Zealand cricketers to opt out of central contracts. Conway and Allen join Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne in declining central contracts, but Williamson has not ruled out signing one in the future.

However, Devon Conway has signed a casual contract similar to the one Kane Williamson had signed. Conway has also made himself available for all international matches except for the Sri Lanka white-ball matches in January 2025, when he will be playing the SA20 League.

As per ESPNCricinfo, Conway is scheduled to play for the Johannesburg Super Kings in his first appearance in South Africa after leaving the country and moving to New Zealand in 2017.

Allen, a hard-hitting white-ball opener, will pursue franchise chances and has not been offered the same agreement by New Zealand Cricket (NZC), but he remains eligible for selection on a case-by-case basis.  

Allen is set to join the Big Bash League. Both Conway and Allen were on the contract list last month and will be replaced.

“I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support”- Devon Conway

Conway, who has been chosen in the test team to face Afghanistan and Sri Lanka next month, is available for all nine of New Zealand’s forthcoming tests. He has also committed to warm-up matches ahead of the Champions Trophy in February, including an ODI tri-series in Pakistan.

“Firstly, I’d like to thank New Zealand Cricket for their support through this process. The decision to move away from a central playing contract isn’t one I’ve taken lightly, but I believe it is the best for me and my family at this present time. Playing for the Blackcaps is still the pinnacle for me and I’m hugely passionate about representing New Zealand and winning games of international cricket.

I’m excited to be part of the upcoming Test squads for an important period in the ICC World Test Championship cycle and am looking forward to being involved in the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan next February if selected,” Conway was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

To be eligible for central contracts under the NZC system, players must participate in the domestic Super Smash event when not playing international cricket.

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