Nathan smith

Allrounders Nathan Smith: Allrounders Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson have been handed central contracts by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) after Devon Conway and Finn Allen, recently turned down their central contracts to pursue T20 league opportunities.

Smith, a 26-year-old from Wellington, has made a strong case for himself through his performances in domestic cricket. Last season, he was a standout performer in the Firebirds winning Plunket Shield campaign, leading the competition wicket-taking charts with 33 wickets at just 17, including career-best first-class figures of 6-36 against Canterbury.

His performances in the white-ball arena were also impressive – claiming 11 and 13 wickets in the Ford Trophy and Super Smash campaigns, respectively -- and his 4-5 against the Otago Volts in Alexandra the best men’s figures in last season’s men’s T20 competition.