New Zealand Cricket faces being run out at the non-striker's end while Mathew Sinclair considers his next shot.
Sinclair's re-entry into NZC's top-20 contracted players for the 2006-07 season was the main feature of the list released yesterday after the Central Districts batsman was jettisoned last year.
Sinclair responded in
blazing fashion last summer and was crowned the best domestic first-class batsman in March.
Now, with a contract being waved in front of his nose, Sinclair will keep NZC sweating on his decision.
"I'm sitting on the fence at the moment, that's the best way to go about it," Sinclair said. "We're still weighing up options as to what's possibly out there.
"It's an honour to be acknowledged by New Zealand Cricket, but I think it's a good time to sit back and think about a few things."
But Sinclair, 30, did say he was willing to Sinclair tackle the troublesome test openers spot.
If [coach] John Bracewell or one of the selectors came up to me during the season and said, 'Mat, we would love you to open this year, and we'll give you all the support and everything else available with it', then I'm your man."
Since his snub from the national body, and missing selection for the Black Caps last season despite a mountain of domestic runs, Sinclair's been in talks with some Australian and South African provinces.
While Sinclair pauses, there's no denying the new additions to New Zealand Cricket's top echelon are already watching the ink dry. Batsmen Jamie How, Peter Fulton, Ross Taylor, offspinner Jeetan Patel and medium pacer Michael Mason are the benefactors following the demise of some veterans.
Auckland allrounder Andre Adams regains his place after being cut two years ago.
The rankings aren't made public but the pay packets are, ranging from $125,000 for No 1 - understood currently to be captain Stephen Fleming, or vice-captain Daniel Vettori - dropping in $5000 increments to $45,000 for those ranked 17-20.
Fleming also negotiates a captain's fee, thought to be between $30,000-$50,000, on top of his retainer.
On top of that are match fees, $6000 per test and $2500 per one-day international, win or lose.
Shane Bond, Nathan Astle and either Jacob Oram or Brendon McCullum are the others likely placed in the top tier.
Sinclair declined to comment on whether he was happy with his ranking, but acknowledged the next stage was cracking back into the one-day side to boost his earnings with the match payments.
With the World Cup only 10 months away, the contracts appear to be heavily slanted towards players who will feature in the Caribbean, with the Black Caps facing possibly only three tests next summer.
Black Caps manager Lindsay Crocker said that Adams was awarded a contract primarily as a one-day player.
Taylor, the blazing Central Districts' slugger, has long been identified as a potential one-day star and Patel's offspinners are likely to prove very fruitful on Caribbean pitches which are prone to dying late in the innings. Fulton was rewarded for his solid debut season.
Despite being rarely used on the season-ending South African tour, How showed enough promise domestically, to warrant his inclusion.
Crocker rejected suggestions the long international careers of Harris and McMillan were over.
"Last year we used 26 players, the year before 33. That contracted list is how the selectors see it at this time. Form, injury, things can change."
Crocker said McMillan and Harris, who battled back from a serious shoulder injury, were both obviously gutted.
Contracted Players
Andre Adams, Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Stephen Fleming, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Jamie How, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.
Players Cut
Chris Cairns (retired), Chris Harris, James Marshall, Daryl Tuffey, Craig McMillan, Paul Wiseman, Craig Cumming
Mathew Sinclair's inaction will make NZC sweat. Picture / Mark Mitchell
New Zealand Cricket faces being run out at the non-striker's end while Mathew Sinclair considers his next shot.
Sinclair's re-entry into NZC's top-20 contracted players for the 2006-07 season was the main feature of the list released yesterday after the Central Districts batsman was jettisoned last year.
Sinclair responded in
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