Devon Conway returns to New Zealand's central contracts list for 2026-27 season

New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has unveiled its central contract list for the ongoing 2026-27 season, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the BlackCaps following the retirement of legendary batter Kane Williamson.

A total of 20 players have been awarded central contracts for the upcoming cycle, which runs from August 1, 2026, to July 31, 2027. Among the notable inclusions are experienced batter Devon Conway and fast bowler Blair Tickner, both of whom have earned recalls to the contracted players’ list.

Conway returns to the central contract setup after spending the previous two years on a casual agreement with NZC. The left-handed batter has now committed himself to being available for all international assignments during the upcoming contract period, paving the way for his return to the centrally contracted group.

Meanwhile, Tickner’s inclusion comes on the back of an impressive run of performances across formats. The 32-year-old seamer has emerged as a dependable option for New Zealand, claiming four or more wickets in five of his last eight international innings. He also registered his maiden five-wicket haul at the international level during the one-off Test against Ireland at Stormont last month.

New Zealand head coach Bob Walter lauded Tickner’s development and highlighted the importance of strengthening the team’s pace-bowling resources ahead of a busy schedule of Test cricket.

“Blair has worked extremely hard over the past few years and added new levels to his game. He’s an excellent team man and has stepped into various roles for the side over the past few months and excelled in them,” Bob Walter said in a statement as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s important we continue to nurture that depth in our bowling stocks, especially with a heavy diet of red-ball cricket over the next 12 months, so to have Blair contracted full-time will help maintain that depth,” he continued.

Walter also expressed his satisfaction at seeing Conway return to the central contract list, stressing the value of having an experienced multi-format player available during a crucial period for New Zealand cricket.

“Devon has been a regular member of the side in all three formats for some time now, even whilst on a casual contract, so it’s great to have a player of his calibre back on the central contract list, especially with the amount of exciting cricket coming up,” he concluded.

With a packed international calendar ahead and a transition phase underway after Williamson’s departure, New Zealand will be hoping the return of Conway and the continued rise of Tickner help provide stability and depth across formats during the 2026/27 season.

Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes, Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Blair Tickner, Will Young