Major Associations announce contracted players for 2009-10

The six Major Associations have today announced their lists of 12 players to be offered contracts for the 2009-10 season.

Auckland

Michael Bates
Colin De Grandhomme
Roneel Hira
Richard Jones
Anaru Kitchen
Greg Morgan
Tarun Nethula
Jeet Raval
Lance Shaw
Scott Styris
Daryl Tuffey
Reece Young

The Auckland Aces have lost three experienced players to other provinces, in Chris Martin, Rob Nicol and Andy McKay. However they have brought in a talented crop of younger players including several with international experience, including current New Zealand Emerging Players or NZ A members Kitchen, Nethula and Raval, along with NZ Under-19 all-rounder Morgan.

Northern Districts

Graeme Aldridge
Trent Boult
Te Ahu Davis
James Marshall
Bruce Martin
Peter McGlashan
Michael Parlane
Bradley Scott
BJ Watling
Kane Williamson
Brad Wilson
Joseph Yovich

The Northern Knights list sees three new names, including former BLACKCAP Marshall who reverts to a local contract after being omitted from the national list. Recent NZ Emerging Players Davis and Wilson both pick up contract offers. Simon Andrews is missing from the 2008-09 contract list, along with Cameron Merchant (to Wellington) and Brent Arnel (national contract).

Central Districts

Doug Bracewell
Brendon Diamanti
Bevan Griggs
Jamie How
Peter Ingram
Mitchell McClenaghan
Michael Mason
Brad Patton
Mathew Sinclair
Ewen Thompson
Tim Weston
George Worker

BLACKCAPS Jamie How and Michael Mason have joined the Central Stags' contract roster after missing out on national contracts. Other new contracts go to 18-year old New Zealand Under-19 player Bracewell, Emerging Players squad member Worker, and Patton.  From the 2008-09 squad, Robbie Schaw has moved to Wellington, while Greg Hay, Brent Hefford, Tim Lythe, and Richard Sherlock are omitted.

Wellington

Matthew Bell
Harry Boam
Dewayne Bowden
Josh Brodie
BJ Crook
Mark Gillespie  
Andy McKay
Cameron Merchant
Chris Nevin
Neal Parlane
Robbie Schaw
Luke Woodcock

The Wellington Firebirds secure three new players in top order batsman Merchant (from Northern Districts), Schaw (from Central Districts) and former Auckland left arm opening bowler McKay strengthening the bowling attack.  Mark Houghton, Kevin Forde and Michael Burns are omitted from last season's contract list.

Canterbury

Corey Anderson
Todd Astle
Hamish Bennett
Leighton Burtt
Jason Donnelly
Andrew Ellis
Peter Fulton
Johann Myburgh
Rob Nicol
Michael Papps
Shanan Stewart
Kruger van Wyk

Fulton returns to the Canterbury Wizards roster after missing out on a national contract. Former Aucklander Nicol will add depth to the top order batting and spin bowling, while left arm spinner Donnelly joins after spending last year as a contracted rookie in South Australia. From last year's list, Brandon Hiini, Michael Davidson and Iain Robertson miss out on contract offers this season.

Otago

Nick Beard
Derek de Boorder
Craig Cumming
Shaun Haig
Mat Harvie
Nathan McCullum
James McMillan
Warren McSkimming
Leighton Morgan
Aaron Redmond
Greg Todd
Neil Wagner

The Otago Volts list sees Redmond rejoin Otago after being on a national contract, while Haig returns after missing out last season. New Zealand Under-19 and Emerging Players slow left-arm orthodox bowler Beard is a newcomer to the roster. Missing from last year's list are Neil Broom and Ian Butler, who go onto national contracts, while Craig Smith was omitted after suffering serious back injury last season.