Players offered New Zealand Cricket contracts named

New Zealand Cricket today released the names of the 20 players who have been offered New Zealand Cricket contracts for the next 12 months.

The players to be offered contracts were determined by NZC national selectors on criteria which assessed a player's likely playing value to NZC for the contract period.

The individual player rankings will be kept confidential.

The players offered contracts are:

Andre Adams
Nathan Astle
Shane Bond
Ian Butler
Chris Cairns
Stephen Fleming
Chris Harris
Robbie Hart
Matt Horne
Brendon McCullum
Craig McMillan
Kyle Mills
Jacob Oram
Mark Richardson
Mathew Sinclair
Scott Styris
Daryl Tuffey
Daniel Vettori
Lou Vincent
Paul Wiseman

The new players to be offered contracts are Paul Wiseman, Brendon McCullum and Kyle Mills.

"Paul Wiseman was rewarded for his performances in Sri Lanka," NZC chief executive Martin Snedden said.

"Brendon McCullum has made good progress in the One-Day International wicket-keeping role and should have a long term future with the TelstraClear Black Caps.

"Kyle Mills has consistently bowled well when given opportunities and is growing in confidence at this level," he said.

The players contracted last year who have not been offered contracts for the next 12 months are Chris Nevin, Chris Martin and Paul Hitchcock.