Mitchell McClenaghan released from New Zealand Cricket contract in pursuit of T20s

[Abdullah719]

New Zealand Cricket and Black Caps seamer Mitchell McClenaghan have officially parted ways.

NZC confirmed it had granted McClenaghan's request for a release from his Black Caps contract - which carries a retainer in the $100,000 vicinity - to pursue Twenty20 opportunities around the world.

Following discussions with McClenaghan, Auckland Cricket, and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, NZC agreed to the release.

It means a bonus for McClenaghan's Auckland team-mate Lockie Ferguson who will now be offered a spot on the 21-strong Black Caps contract list.

McClenaghan said a lot had happened since he was offered an NZC contract in late June.

"Some new playing opportunities have arisen in the past few weeks which mean my circumstances have changed. I'm very grateful for the respect, understanding and goodwill which has underpinned my request to be released from my NZC contract," he said in a statement.

"I've worked closely with NZC throughout the process, while also making it clear I still harbour ambitions of playing for New Zealand in the future."

McClenaghan can still be picked for the Black Caps and collect match fees, but will exit NZC's high performance programme.

The 31-year-old was signed by the Durban Qalandars in South Africa's inaugural T20 Global League during November and December, the same time as New Zealand's first class Plunket Shield competition and the Burger King T20 Super Smash are played.

He is set to be confirmed in Australia's Big Bash T20 competition as well, which runs alongside the New Zealand T20 Super Smash.

As a contracted player, McClenaghan was obliged to be available to play in the domestic competitions unless on international duty, so would require a no objection certificate (NOC) or end his contract.

The latter was his only option, as NZC would not issue an NOC given they already grant players like McClenaghan annual leave to play in the Indian Premier League.

NZC general manager high performance Bryan Stronach said he respected McClenaghan's decision to pursue a pathway in which he has experienced considerable success.

"We have to recognise that, as the T20 game matures, specialists will want to explore the different opportunities that become available – and I think Mitch's case is symptomatic of that," Stronach said.

"This agreement has been reached amicably and mutually; all parties understand the change in Mitch's circumstances, and he is released from his contract with our best wishes."

McClenaghan's trump card is his success in the lucrative IPL where his salary is expected to rise dramatically. He was the fourth-highest wicket-taker this year, taking 19 at an average of 26.68 and strike rate of 17 for the Mumbai Indians.

He is now playing for the St Lucia Stars in the Caribbean Premier League, and after venturing to South Africa will head to Australia.

McClenaghan, who is yet to play a test for New Zealand, has played 48 ODIs and 28 T20 internationals.

Traditionally it has been players at the end of their careers, like Brendon McCullum, who ply their trade on the T20 circuit, so McClenaghan is essentially the first to break ranks from the safety net of an annual retainer.

He was one of 21 players contracted for the coming season with retainers to increase slightly on last season's figures, which were $205,266 for No 1, dropping in increments to $83,498 for those ranked 18-21. Last season's match fees were $8495 per test, $3682 per ODI and $2407 per T20.

That compares to standard contracts of around $40,000-$70,000 for most T20 franchise competitions.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/crick...for-release-from-new-zealand-cricket-contract

 

[KhalidRafi]

Made the right decision by not wasting his time and the time of NZC. He's 31 and had at best, a year left in him. Lockie Ferguson, on the other hand has some serious pace and could be an interesting prospect for New Zealand.

 

[Yatoo]

This is what I propose

A player who starts playing domestic/international cricket say at age 19 should be asked to give in writing that till age 35 he would prioritize his nation over T20 leagues. After that he should be given an option to go freelance. Players rise up through the ranks by playing domestic/internationals and boards invest a lot of money on them. It's time for cricket boards to make a contract right from age 16 onwards.

 

[USofA]

This is what I propose

A player who starts playing domestic/international cricket say at age 19 should be asked to give in writing that till age 35 he would prioritize his nation over T20 leagues. After that he should be given an option to go freelance. Players rise up through the ranks by playing domestic/internationals and boards invest a lot of money on them. It's time for cricket boards to make a contract right from age 16 onwards.

I don't think a 16 year old can sign anything that is legal and hold up in court, at least in most countries. Also 35 is a little too much. To be fair, I would say 8-10 years should be the sweet spot. Perhaps give them the option of one T20 league that they can prioritize.

 

[boomboomcheema]

Another Cricketer who opted out of playing boring tests.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Another Cricketer who opted out of playing boring tests.

Lol he's a 30+ year old who has never been in serious contention for selection in tests.

Good for him, he finds it tough to break into the LoI squad and he can make some money.

 

[Aman]

They'll be more to come.

 

[Mp812]

They'll be more to come.

It is actually a practical decsion by him and by players like him in future.
Afterall a place in the nations cricket team is for only 11 players and one needs to be either extraordinarily talented like Tendulkar,Lara or a Ponting to have a guranteed place in national team.
Sometimes good players never get a chance in national team because other 11 are slightly better or have a godfather.
Example : Mcgill was awesome legspinner but Shane warne could of course never be replaced since he was bit better. There was only place for one legspinner in the team for obvios reasons.

Atleast by choosing to play leagues one can make money in the short timespan one can play. Afterall bread on table and roof on head are important.
Players like Irfan pathan and Parthiv patel no longer stand a chance in Indian team but are minting money while doing what they like to do - playing cricket.

Expecting a player to choose country over financial security is not practical because fans are not gonna pay his bills when not in the team.
Most of the fans who expect that from a player, would jump at first opportunity abroad to make money rather than serving country.

 

[Abdullah719]

Ish Sodhi, Colin Munro could be next to face tough calls on T20 club versus country

Decisions, decisions. Mitchell McClenaghan made his; now Ish Sodhi, Colin Munro and Corey Anderson loom as the next Black Caps facing significant calls on their cricket careers in the next year.

No further departures from New Zealand Cricket's contracted 21 are imminent, but for some there's thinking to do as Twenty20 opportunities arise with a backdrop of national selectors' whims or injuries.

At just 24, Sodhi is an intriguing case. He should have a long international career at the tips of his spinning fingers but hasn't yet cracked it as a first choice for coach Mike Hesson.

In the last home summer, Sodhi played just two T20 internationals and two ODIs, and in the past year a solitary test, against India in Kanpur. In between, the gifted legspinner capped his three-match Australian Big Bash cameo with a stunning 6-11 for Adelaide Strikers which, you'd expect, will have them clamouring for his services in December-January.

Problem is, that clashes with New Zealand's T20 Super Smash and Black Caps home internationals against West Indies and Pakistan, which all NZC contracted players are obliged to be available for.

It means Sodhi, if he wants to return to Australia for any period of time, requires a no objection certificate from NZC, as was sought by Munro, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor last summer with varying success depending on their home playing commitments.

For the entire Big Bash an overseas player could earn $75,000. Compare that to an annual NZC retainer of $85,000 for those ranked 18-21 (rising in increments to $210,000 for top-ranked Kane Williamson), with match fees of $8500 per test, $3500 per ODI and $2500 per T20 international (of which there are nine this home summer). They're dwarfed by Australian or English pay packets.

"We might see some players opt out of a national contract if they're fringe members of the T20 and ODI team. Because they're not playing a lot of cricket and they're not high up the contract list, they could have the opportunity to play in three or four competitions," said New Zealand Cricket Players' Association chief executive, Heath Mills.

"I don't think there's going to be a flood of players leave. I'm pretty confident about that. Whilst there's test cricket, and that's the pinnacle of the sport and there's a meaningful test programme, then players will want to remain contracted."

It's a similar poser for ​Munro who is ensconced in the Caribbean Premier League, one of at least seven well-paid T20 leagues. The left-handed power hitter is a T20 regular for New Zealand but a fringe ODI player - he may be tried as an opener this summer - and is out of favour in the test side.

"I'm aware that some players have weighed up 'am I better to go and get three or four T20 gigs or remain contracted', and obviously he [Munro] is in that category. There may be one or two more," said Mills.

Still it's a significant gamble to cut ties with NZC, and the accompanying benefits of monthly pay cheque, insurance and a high performance programme with injury rehabilitation support.

For McClenaghan it was straightforward, even if his Black Caps career is essentially over at 31. He hadn't played an international match in 18 months and was offered deals in South Africa and Australia's Big Bash in quick succession. The combative left-armer also has status in the Indian Premier League where he starred for defending champions Mumbai Indians.

Sodhi and Munro, surprisingly, both missed out at this year's IPL auction and that remains the holy grail where salaries can skyrocket.

Said Mills: "It's one thing to say 'I'd like to go and ply my trade as a T20 specialist', but you've also got to have the security of contract."

Anderson is, perhaps, the most likely to follow McClenaghan's lead in the next year or so.

The big-hitting allrounder has a good reputation in the IPL and was in stellar form for Somerset in England's T20 Blast before a recurring back injury cut short his stint at four matches. He still covets test cricket but with the injury restricting his bowling, Anderson might have to consider T20 only which would open the doors to leagues around the world.

Then again, Black Caps contracted players get six weeks annual leave to play IPL or other leagues, and with winter scheduling gaps there's ample opportunity to play CPL or in England where 10 of the 21 contracted Black Caps appeared in T20 this year. "We've worked really well with NZC and I'd be surprised to see any change in the way we manage the players' involvement in T20 cricket. If you try and fight and control everything you're also forcing players to make decisions," Mills said.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-newspape...o-face-tough-calls-on-T20-club-versus-country

 

[CanadianG00se]

Cricket NZ and CSA are in real danger of losing quality players to league cricket. Though i dont blame cricketers for chosing money over country as they have short career and would want to make the best use of it. If things continue, i wont be surprised in 10-15 years league cricket will supercede international fixtures kinda like soccer leagues in Europe.

Well test purists will deny as much as they want but fact is T20 is future and nothing can change that.

 

[pakistani pride]

This is a HUGE shame for cricket. I mean in which sports do players NOT prefer to play for the country?

Cricket needs to change. There should be like a full season of franchise cricket (club vs club) like in football. The INT games country vs country should become lesser in quantity.

That will also make it more special. Noe you have endless JAMODIS.

 

[MenInG]

Astle offered BLACKCAPS contract

Canterbury allrounder Todd Astle has been offered a BLACKCAPS contract for the first time, as part of the 20 to be given for the 2018-19 contract year.

While a new Master Agreement between NZC and the New Zealand Cricket Players Association has yet to be finalised, an agreement has been reached to allow the contracting process to take place in a timely fashion.

As in previous years, a set criteria is used to rank players across all three forms of the game, with Tests receiving twice the weighting of One Day Internationals and Twenty20 Internationals.

The number of contracts has decreased by one from the 21 given last year, with Astle the only new player in this year’s offered list. Jimmy Neesham and Neil Broom are the two players from last year’s list not to be offered a contract.

BLACKCAPS Selector Gavin Larsen said Astle certainly featured in the selectors' plans for the next 12 months.

“Todd’s progress over the past 12 months has been exciting to see. When fit, he made the most of his opportunities in both Test and ODI cricket,” said Larsen.

“We have a big summer ahead; we know Todd performs well in New Zealand conditions, and we also have a spin-friendly tour against Pakistan coming up.

"Between Todd, Ish and Mitchell our spin bowling stocks have probably never looked better.”

Larsen said there were some tough calls, but the door remained open for those who missed out.

“Jimmy and Neil didn’t show the consistency required over the past year and we’d like to see them go back and demand our attention again through domestic performance.

“We’ll continue to monitor the progress of a number of fringe players, who will have the chance to continue to push their case through the NZA programme and home domestic season.”

Accepted contacts will come into effect from 1 August 2018.


2018-19 offered BLACKCAPS contracts:

Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, George Worker.


2017-18 BLACKCAPS contracts:

Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, George Worker.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Michelle McLenegan,

I , your bhaijaan proudly welcome you to the freelance cricketers club. Make us proud brother. You now belong to the most elite group in cricket.

 

[introvert]

Very disappointed with neesham's career so far. Hopefully he makes comeback in nz team in 2019 world cup.

 

[shane]

Very disappointed with neesham's career so far. Hopefully he makes comeback in nz team in 2019 world cup.

Neesham is making a handy career as a twitter comedian. I always felt with Neesham that his heart was never really in cricket, which is a shame because he has a lot of potential.

But he has much work to do because he was struggling to get into Otago's team by the end of last season.

 

[MenInG]

James Neesham, Will Young and Tom Blundell are the new names on the list of 20 players offered BLACKCAPS contracts for the 2019-20 year.

Under the terms of NZC’s Master Agreement with the New Zealand Cricket Players Association, the listed players have until Wednesday, May 9 to accept or decline the contract offers.

Neesham, centrally contracted in 2016-17 and 2017-18, was not included in last year’s muster but receives an offer for the upcoming year on the back of strong performances for Wellington, and the BLACKCAPS ODI side.

Young receives a central contract offer for the first time after impressing with the Central Stags and New Zealand A, as does Blundell – who played two Tests and two T20s for the BLACKCAPS in 2017-18, and has been included in the ODI squad for the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Of the players centrally contracted during the previous twelve months, fast-bowler Adam Milne, batsman George Worker and all-rounder Corey Anderson have not received offers for the 2019-20 season.

Selection manager Gavin Larsen said Neesham, Young and Blundell had worked hard over the previous summer to be recognised with offers.


“Jimmy had a very good season and made excellent progress with Wellington, New Zealand A and the BLACKCAPS. He’s made every post a winning one,” said Larsen.

“Will receives an offer on the basis of the sheer weight of runs he scored last season, both for New Zealand A and the Central Stags.

“He would’ve received his first Test cap in March had it not been for the match being cancelled because of the Christchurch attack.

“Tom has acted as a back-up for BJ Watling on the tour of UAE, has recently played for New Zealand A and is in the World Cup squad as the wicket-keeping understudy for Tom Latham.

“We see this offer as a strong vote of confidence in his future.”

Players offered central contracts for 2019-20: Todd Astle, Tom Blundell, Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, James Neesham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

 

[Sheikh_Ji]

So what does Mitchell McClenaghan need to do to get A second game in this psl?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

The injury plagued poor chap.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1774871426304242163