Conway, Tickner return to Black Caps contracts
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Devon Conway and Blair Tickner have returned to the 20-strong list of contracted Black Caps for the 2026-2027 period.
Conway, 34 is fully contracted after playing as a casually contracted player the past two years, while seamer Tickner is also back on the list.
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Tickner earns his recall to the list after compelling performances across all formats for both the Central Stags and the national side.
He claimed four or more wickets in five of his last eight bowling innings for New Zealand, highlighted by his maiden international five-wicket-bag against Ireland last month.
Conway’s 146 international caps and over 6000 runs across all formats is a welcome return to the central contract list, with the top-order batter making himself available for all international fixtures during the upcoming contracting period (1 August 2026 - 31 July 2027).
“Blair has worked extremely hard over the past few years and added new levels to his game,” said head coach Rob Walter.
"He’s an excellent team man and has stepped into various roles for the side over the past few months and excelled in them.
“It’s important we continue to nurture that depth in our bowling stocks, especially with a heavy diet of red-ball cricket over the next 12 months, so to have Blair contracted full-time will help maintain that depth.
“Devon has been a regular member of the side in all three formats for some time now, even whilst on a casual contract, so it’s great to have a player of his calibre back on the central contract list, especially with the amount of exciting cricket coming up.”
Tickner and Conway’s inclusion means Adithya Ashok and Muhammad Abbas come off the centrally contract list.
The Canterbury duo of Zak Foulkes and Mitch Hay retain their contracts after being added to the list for the first time last year and featuring for the Black Caps across all three formats in the past 12 months.
Michael Bracewell and Mark Chapman both requested not to be ranked in test cricket and remain on the central contract list as white-ball specialists.
Discussions regarding casual playing contracts are underway, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.
Contracted Black Caps (2026-2027)
Tom Blundell – Wellington
Michael Bracewell – Wellington
Mark Chapman – Auckland
Devon Conway – Wellington
Jacob Duffy – Otago
Zak Foulkes – Canterbury
Mitch Hay – Canterbury
Matt Henry – Canterbury
Kyle Jamieson – Canterbury
Tom Latham – Canterbury
Daryl Mitchell – Canterbury
Henry Nicholls – Canterbury
Will O'Rourke – Canterbury
Glenn Phillips – Otago
Rachin Ravindra – Wellington
Mitchell Santner – Northern Districts
Ben Sears – Wellington
Nathan Smith – Wellington
Blair Tickner – Central Districts
Will Young – Central Districts
