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The NZC has decided to hand out the central contracts to the young and promising cricketers Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson. They are speculated to be replaced with the positions of Devon Conway and Finn Allen. Devon and Finn earlier opted out of the NZC central contract for the pursuit of franchise cricket opportunities further.
Smith’s brilliance at domestic cricket
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Nathan Smith is a 26-year-old cricketer from New Zealand; he has a great experience of domestic cricket. Recently, he was awarded the title of Men’s Domestic Player of the Year at the NZC. In March, he finished as the leading wicket taker for Plunket Shield with 33 scalps at just 17, including his career-best first-class figures of 6 for 36 against Canterbury.
Smith continued his pursuit of excellence while taking 11 and 13 wickets, respectively, for the Ford Trophy and Super Smash tournaments that followed. He also represented Worcestershire this season, when he claimed 27 wickets at 21.14 average in seven County Championship matches, while also striking three half-centuries and taking eight wickets in nine T20 Blast games until he got an injury in his hamstring, due to which he has to rest at home.
Josh Clarkson, the rising batting all-rounder for NZC
Clarkson is the right-handed batsman; the 27-year-old has played the white-ball cricket from New Zealand in the series against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Australia. Although in these opportunities it is too early to judge and question his capabilities, he is a hard-hitter, which could provide a depth to NZC with the bowl as well.
“Nathan’s been on our radar for a while, having been a significant performer in domestic cricket for some time,” said head coach Gary Stead. “He’s been particularly impressive in red ball cricket, and we think he has the skills to be successful in international cricket when he gets a chance.
Josh has been involved in both white ball squads over the past twelve months, which shows the strides he’s made in his game,” he said of Clarkson. “He’s a hard-hitting player with plenty of skills and has shown in his chances so far that he can offer a lot with bat and ball on the international stage.
“Josh will provide depth and add value given the volume of white ball cricket on the horizon.”
Apart from that, Josh Clarkson and Nathan Smith have been a part of the NZC under-19 squad as well. They played in Bangladesh, alongside Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, and Ben Sears.
The NZC central contract list
NZC list: Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O’Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, and Will Young.
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