NZ Cricket has released its list of centrally contracted players for 2009-10. Dylan Cleaver assesses the selections.

The list

Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram, Iain O'Brien, Kyle Mills, Martin Guptill, Jeetan Patel, Tim Southee, Shane Bond, Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Ian Butler, Chris Martin, Tim McIntosh, Gareth Hopkins, Neil Broom, Brent Arnel.*

The big picture

A largely predictable list that, unfortunately, rather highlights the dearth of talent in New Zealand at present. The lower numbers inspire little inspiration and the and there are 10 players outside this list that you could point to and say, "well, they could have done just as good a job as the ones that made it".

That's not hyperbole either. Can you honestly say Aaron Redmond, Craig Cumming, Scott Styris, Peter Fulton, Kane Williamson, Nathan McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Mark Gillespie, Peter Ingram and Jamie How lose much in comparison to the stragglers on this list? That does not equate to depth either, just the fact New Zealand has become adept at churning out middling cricketers.

Or, as head of selectors Glenn Turner would rather put it: "Some experienced players have missed out as a result of new players forcing their way into the top twenty - and that's a good sign for the game." Hmmm.

The big four

Daniel Vettori (No 1), Brendon McCullum (No 2), Ross Taylor (No 3), Jesse Ryder (No 4) - Very difficult to argue. The selectors break up the rankings into the top 25 test and top 25 short-form players in the country and it is highly likely the above named occupied the top four placings in both lists. There would appear to be daylight between these guys and the pack.

The bolter

Brent Arnel (No 20) - The selectors see something in Arnel that makes them believe the 30-year-old will make the transition from first-class journeyman to international. You can only presume Moles, who had more to do with Arnel than most over the past few seasons, had a big say in this.

Rising fast

Iain O'Brien (No 6), Martin Guptill (No 8) - You couldn't deny O'Brien his slot after a lion-hearted season that, in tests anyway, saw him become Vettori's go-to guy every time he needed a wicket. He is less convincing in short-form cricket, however.

Guptill is a work in progress, particularly in test cricket, but has shown he has the class to play at the top level for years to come. "He has played his way into being considered a core squad member," Turner said. "His ODI average is already ahead of other leading players, and for his age shows the promise of more to come."