Cricket: Sinclair back in NZ's top 20

Mathew Sinclair has forced his way back into New Zealand Cricket's (NZC) top echelon of players after regaining his contract today.

Sinclair was one of 20 players named on the NZC contracts list for the 2006-07 season after being cut from the list last year.

He was the leading first-class domestic batsmen in 2005-06, but missed out on selection for the New Zealand side.

One-day specialist Andre Adams also regained his place on the list after being cut two years ago.

Other big movers include top-order batsmen Jamie How, Ross Taylor and Peter Fulton, who all debuted for New Zealand last season, while medium pacer Michael Mason also secured a contract.

The rankings are not made public but the pay packets are, ranging from $125,000 for No 1 -- understood currently to be captain Stephen Fleming, or vice-captain Daniel Vettori -- and dropping in $5000 increments to $45,000 for those ranked 17 to 20.

Players cut from last year's list include the retired Chris Cairns, Chris Harris, James Marshall, Daryl Tuffey, Craig McMillan, Paul Wiseman and Craig Cumming.

* New Zealand Cricket's 20 contracted players

Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Stephen Fleming, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.

- NZPA