New Zealand Cricket faces a potential player contract exodus, if the future of its domestic Twenty20 league cannot be resolved quickly.
The Herald understands more Black Caps are considering opting out of national deals, to take up casual playing agreements with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), and instead play in overseas leagues during the Kiwi summer.
At present, five Black Caps hold casual contracts, but the Herald understands the number seeking similar deals could potentially double, as things stand.
Player uncertainty comes at a time of disruption in the sport, with little clarity on the future of NZ’s domestic competition, the Super Smash, and with potential for a weakened edition of the tournament to run next season.
It is also understood at least one Black Cap has raised concerns to senior figures within the game over the quality of the Super Smash in its current state.
When asked by the Herald for comment, NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock said the organisation will continue to adapt to the modern game, including with players’ contracts.
“NZC understands the landscape for professional cricket is evolving rapidly and it continues to take a flexible and pragmatic approach to central contracting,” he said.
“In terms of next season’s domestic T20 competition, with the assistance of Deloitte we’re currently evaluating the different options available, including franchise models and the Super Smash status quo.
“While this evaluation is progressing with purpose, we’re not prepared to comment on likely outcomes until the process is completed.
“To clarify, there is no uncertainty over whether NZC will have a domestic T20 competition next summer - the question is what form it will take.”
New Zealand’s best and brightest talents being sought after overseas is nothing new, but the Herald understands lucrative multi-year deals are on the table in Australia, South Africa and the UAE for players to consider at the expense of national contracts.
NZC’s central contracts dictate players must be available for the Super Smash if international cricket is not being played.
With uncertainty over the Super Smash, though, players will face no choice but to look overseas, in order to not just earn more, but to play the highest possible standard of cricket.
While Sky TV has acquired the rights to international cricket in NZ from the 2026-27 summer onwards, the Super Smash is not part of that deal.
Unless a broadcaster enters with a late bid, the current situation will result in a minimalist production for the Super Smash – as is seen with NZC’s coverage of the 50-over Ford Trophy and first-class Plunket Shield.
NZC has engaged Deloitte to undertake a review into the domestic T20 situation, with the findings expected at the end of February.
Known as “Project Bigger Smash”, that review will assess the best option for the shortest format, with particular focus on the creation of a privately-backed franchise T20 competition in New Zealand, establishing a Kiwi entry into the Australian Big Bash League (BBL) or leaving the Super Smash untouched.
The issue has already caused significant friction within NZC, though.
In December, chief executive Scott Weenink resigned, citing different views “on the future priorities for NZC, including the long-term direction of the game and the best role for T20 cricket in New Zealand”.
As reported by Sport Nation, the terms of that review have since changed. Instead of making a recommendation one way or another, Deloitte will now simply outline the benefits of each option.
Should the organisation opt for a franchise model, a tight deadline would be in place to find investors, recruit players and put the foundations in place for the league to begin in January 2027.
Backed by the New Zealand Cricket Players Association (NZCPA), as well as the six major associations – Auckland, Northern Districts, Central Districts, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago – the NZ20 concept looms as the most prominent option for a franchise model.
However, the Herald understands that while the NZ20 is the preferred option for the majority of the NZC board, resistance from within – from one member in particular – is holding up proceedings.
With a number of investors having already shown interest in putting money into the NZ20, any further delays to the process could see them back out and look elsewhere.
Cricket Australia is also weighing up the future of the Big Bash League (BBL), with private equity a likely direction the competition will move in.
Given the lack of a franchise-style model, NZC has been forced to be flexible in its best and brightest, as players look overseas for T20 contracts to earn the same as their international counterparts.
In 2022, Trent Boult opted out of his NZC central contract to become a T20 freelancer. One year later, Boult signed the first NZC casual playing agreement, leaving him free to chase franchise opportunities, but committing to the Black Caps for the 2023 World Cup in India.
And in the time since, more players have followed suit.
In 2024, Kane Williamson and Devon Conway both opted for casual contracts. Last year, they were joined by Finn Allen, Tim Seifert and Lockie Ferguson.
That number expanded to five to allow NZC to pick players without contracts for this year’s T20 World Cup. However, the pair of Adam Milne and Jimmy Neesham are not on casual deals, but were still picked for the tournament.
It is unclear as to whether or not next year’s central contracts would follow suit, given the 50-over World Cup in South Africa.
By adopting a franchise model, while keeping every New Zealand international is not guaranteed, it would allow players to prioritise home contracts rather than chase overseas deals – even if it means earning less.
After spending the bulk of New Zealand’s summer playing for the Perth Scorchers, Allen made no secret that his time in Australia was in order to become a better cricketer, rather than earning money.
On the other hand, should NZC opt for representation in the BBL, entry has been mooted from as early 2028, if and when Cricket Australia choose to give expansion sides the green light.
A decision over the future of the domestic T20 competition is expected in the second quarter of 2026, while NZC also hopes to appoint a new chief executive by the end of March.
Alex Powell is a sports journalist for the NZ Herald. He has been a sports journalist since 2016.