Cricket: New Zealand contracted players face conundrum

Ish Sodhi could make more appearances with T20 teams like the Adelaide Strikers. Photo / Getty

A less common five-day test lies ahead for the country's best cricketers as they decide whether to accept central contracts for the 2017-18 year.

The 21-strong list of Black Caps have until next Wednesday to make a call under the terms of the Master Agreement between New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association.

Generally the decision is a fait accompli. Players sign for retainers - valued at between $83,000 and $205,000 last year - and, if selected, earn match fees. In 2016-17 those ranged from $8495 per test, $3682 per ODI and $2407 per T20I.

However, satellite Twenty20 leagues are mushrooming, including the new South African T20 Global League which is expected to clash with the McDonald's Super Smash in November and December.

Players must decide whether to commit to international selection and the security of regular income, or chance their arms as freelance contractors.

New Zealand are the world's No.1 ranked T20 side. A record number of Kiwis, 11, were represented in this year's Indian Premier League, and that trend could filter to other competitions.

Any conundrum is unlikely to impact players in the top echelon like Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Ross Taylor, or those considered test specialists like B-J Watling, Neil Wagner or Jeet Raval.

In contrast, all-rounders Corey Anderson, Colin de Grandhomme, Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham and Mitchell Santner, pace bowler Adam Milne and leg spinner Ish Sodhi, might be justified in doing due diligence on their options.

Months away from home commuting between hotels and practice nets effectively creates a tipping point between "time absent" versus "income earned". Individuals must decide whether representing their country or playing cricket as a vocation takes precedence.

This opportunity cost is nothing new. Daniel Vettori, Grant Elliott, Jeetan Patel and Brendon McCullum pursued careers as free agents outside the international beat.

New Zealand players are among those considered the most susceptible to freelance deals because the governing body cannot afford to pay them the same as peers operating under larger economies of scale in India, Australia and England.

Balance that against standard contracts in the US$30,000-$50,000 bracket across the Pakistan Super League, Caribbean Premier League and Australia's Big Bash League.

Signing with two to three of those leagues might match a NZC income and enable players to better balance their lives. Those figures can be supplemented by signing a domestic contract with a major association (maximum $43,500 plus match fees in 2016-17) through the local summer.

Alternatively, signing a national contract and requesting NZC-issued "no objection certificates" can still get players access to global T20 deals in what is effectively the best of both worlds. It depends how much energy they are prepared to commit to the game, and where their loyalties lie.

Players offered central contracts for 2017-18: Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Neil Broom, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Jimmy Neesham, Jeet Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, George Worker.

Broom, de Grandhomme and Raval replaced Doug Bracewell, Mark Craig and the retired Luke Ronchi.