Nathan Smith, Josh Clarkson Awarded New Zealand Contracts

New Zealand Cricket has awarded central contracts to all-rounders Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson, filling vacancies left by Devon Conway and Finn Allen, who opted for franchise cricket. Smith, 26, was the leading wicket-taker in last season's Plunket Shield and has performed well in domestic competitions, while 27-year-old Clarkson has played three ODIs and six T20Is since his debut in December 2022. Both players have shown strong performances at the domestic level, with Smith also excelling during his stint with Worcestershire in England. New Zealand head coach Gary Stead praised their abilities, indicating they can make significant contributions at the international level. The central contract list now stands at 20 players for the upcoming 2024/25 season. New Zealand's international schedule includes a Test against Afghanistan and tours to Sri Lanka and India.