Black Caps spin bowler Ajaz Patel has not been offered a central contract by New Zealand Cricket a year and a half after becoming just the third player in test cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings.
Since taking 10-119 against India at Wankhede in December 2021, Patel has worn the whites three times. The 34-year-old played just two tests for New Zealand last summer, both in Pakistan, and hasn’t played a home test since 2020.
Fast bowler Trent Boult declined a contract again but has committed to being available for the Black Caps for part of the playing programme. He has been offered a casual playing agreement.
Meanwhile, fellow quick Adam Milne has been offered a central contract for the first time in five years.
Milne’s elevation to the list comes off the back of his most productive international season, in which he appeared 16 times for the Black Caps (11 T20Is and five ODIs), claiming 24 wickets at an average of 24, including a career-best 5-26 in the second T20I against Sri Lanka, the third-best T20I figures by a New Zealander.