Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson earn New Zealand central contracts

Nathan Smith and Josh Clarkson have been awarded with New Zealand central contracts, filling the spots vacated by Devon Conway and Finn Allen, who rejected the offers last month to play franchise leagues around the world.

The 27-year-old Clarkson bats in the middle-order and is a medium-pace bowler. He has played three ODIs in 2023 and six T20Is this year for the Blackcaps. Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Smith is yet to make his international debut. He is also a seam-bowling all-rounder.

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Smith was the highest wicket-taker in last season's Plunket Shield with 33 scalps at an average of 17.18. His excellent performances helped Wellington go the distance. He also plied his trade for Worcestershire this season, bagging 27 wickets at 21.14 in seven County Championship matches. With the bat, he contributed with three half-centuries and also took eight wickets in nine T20 Blast games before a hamstring injury brought his stint in England to an abrupt end.

"Nathan's been on our radar for a while having been a significant performer in domestic cricket for some time. He's been particularly impressive in red-ball cricket and we think he has the skills to be successful in international cricket when he gets a chance," New Zealand head coach Gary Stead was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Meanwhile, Clarkson was a part of the series against Bangladesh, Australia and Pakistan last season. Stead asserted that the Christchurch-born will add depth to the squad, especially with New Zealand's busy white-ball schedule.

"Josh has been involved in both white ball squads over the past twelve months which shows the strides he's made in his game. He's a hard-hitting player with plenty of skills and has shown in his chances so far that he can offer a lot with bat and ball on the international stage. Josh will provide depth and adds value given the volume of white ball cricket on the horizon," Stead stated.

The Kiwis return to action next week as they take on Afghanistan in a one-off Test in Greater Noida, starting on Monday, September 9. This will be the first red-ball meeting between the two sides. Tim Southee will lead New Zealand, while Afghanistan will be spearheaded by Hashmatullah Shahidi.

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Updated New Zealand Men's central contracts: Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Will O'Rourke, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Will Young