Jimmy Neesham likely to miss out on New Zealand's national contract list

As Cricket New Zealand will release a 20-player national contract list for the 2022-23 season on Friday (May 13), we are in for a few surprises. 

As per the Stuff, Jimmy Neesham, New Zealand's white-ball specialist, may find his name omitted from the to-be-released list. With Neesham now seen as a prominent figure in only T20Is, he is likely to be replaced by those who are the regular members of the team in two or more formats.

It is noteworthy that the contracts are handled based on a combined ranking system across the three formats, with more emphasis given to Test cricket.

While Neesham is possibly out of the race, a position has opened up for many candidates. His Wellington teammate Michael Bracewell will benefit from it and is in contention to bag a national contract on the back of an outstanding season that also saw him making his international cricket debut.

Neesham is currently plying his trade in the IPL, representing Rajasthan Royals. In that, too, the 31-year-old all-rounder has got fewer chances and has played in one game of the ongoing season, scoring 17 runs and conceding 29 runs in three overs.

Ross Taylor, unsurprisingly, will also jump out of the list as he has already called it quits from the international arena. Rachin Ravindra is another name that can likely be ousted.

Ajaz Patel is likely to be added after missing out on the contract last year to fill in for Ravindra's place.

Although Patel did not participate in the home summer, he played his last match against India. He claimed ten wickets in a single inning, entering an elusive club that features Jim Laker and Anil Kumble.

Possible 2022-23 New Zealand contract list: Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young (as predicted by Stuff)