New Zealand Releases Names of International Players

New Zealand has released the names of the players who have been offered international player agreements for the year 1 August 2009 through 31 July 2010. Brent Arnel, Ian Butler and Martin Guptil are among those who were offered contracts for the first time this year. Shane Bond returns this year after being unavailable last year due to his ICL involvement. The team will continue to be captained by Daniel Vettori. Players not making the cut this year include Mark Gillaspie, Michael Mason and Aaron Redmond.

I still wonder how some of those who did not make it are taking it. I hear random talks that some are okay but a few others are a little feisty when thinking of why they might not have made it.

It seems that I remember reading that players were chosen based on performance relating to limited overs and Test cricket. The head of the selection committee said that those not offered international contracts would have the opportunity to play themselves into the Blackcaps domestic, A team or Emerging Players tour.

While it is nice to know that they may still be offered contracts in other areas besides international, I am sure it is small consoliation to those players who did not maked the cut. I know that, if I had tried for international and was offered domestic, I would be disappointed.