Jimmy Neesham, a New Zealand all-rounder, has signed a domestic contract with Auckland for 2026–2027. Since 2021–2022, Neesham has not inked a domestic or international cricket contract in New Zealand.
For the upcoming season, the 35-year-old all-rounder has proclaimed himself qualified for both the 50-over Ford Trophy and the 20-over Super Smash. He is now in Wales for the 2026 T20 Blast with Glamorgan.
Jimmy Neesham participated as a freelancer for Auckland in the 2025–2026 Ford Trophy, although this will be his first Super Smash since 2023. In two games, he scored sixty-one runs for Auckland.
Auckland’s team now includes wrist-spinner Adi Ashok, who trained with former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in Chennai during the last New Zealand winter. Although he is not on the list for the current cycle, he was awarded a NZC Central Contract for the 2025–2026 cycle.
Batter Nick Kelly has returned from Wellington to the Northern Districts. He is now travelling the West Indies with the New Zealand team after serving as Wellington’s captain for the previous three seasons. 19-year-old all-rounder Snehith Reddy, who most recently represented the Black Caps in the Under-19s, has signed his first professional contract with the Northern District.
New Zealand international and former Canterbury seamer Henry Shipley has joined Wellington. He follows the announcement in June of seam bowler Michael Snedden’s retirement from professional cricket. They will also have access to Devon Conway, a batsman and wicketkeeper with a NZC Central Contract.
According to prior reports from Cricinfo, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Adam Milne, and Lockie Ferguson have reportedly agreed to casual playing contracts with NZC for the 2026–2027 campaign. They would be eligible for selection in New Zealand and allowed to participate in franchise leagues across the world thanks to these contracts.
The four players consistently play for the T20I squads. Before declaring his retirement from international cricket during the Test series against England, Kane Williamson had a comparable deal during the previous cycle.
