Martin and Papps earn New Zealand annual contract

Chris Martin and Michael Papps are among 20 players who have been offered contracts for the next 12 months by New Zealand Cricket. Hamish Marshall is on the list as well, but Andre Adams, Robbie Hart and Matt Horne, who had all won contracts last year, have been omitted this time.

The three new inclusions have all been rewarded for displaying superb form last season. Martin was easily the pick of the bowlers in the Test series against South Africa. Making a comeback into the side on the basis of strong performances in domestic matches, he ripped through the South Africans, taking 11 wickets at Auckland to fashion a memorable win, and then took seven more at Wellington. Papps had a disappointing Test series, but shone in the one-dayers, scoring two half-centuries in five games. Marshall made his ODI debut in Pakistan last year as part of an under-strength New Zealand team, and impressed with his consistency, notching up five fifties and a hundred in 16 matches.

New Zealand's next assignment is a tour to England, where they will play three Tests and a triangular one-day tournament, also involving West Indies.

The contracted players
Nathan Astle, Shane Bond, Ian Butler, Chris Cairns, Stephen Fleming, Chris Harris, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent, Paul Wiseman.