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Kane Williamson unavailable for Australia T20I series after signing casual playing contract but wants to play T20 World Cup 2026 in India

Sports Tak

Sports Tak

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Kane Williamson unavailable for Australia T20I series after signing casual playing contract but wants to play T20 World Cup 2026 in India
Kane Williamson of New Zealand (C) sets his field as Michell Santner (L) looks on during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 against Pakistan at Edgbaston on June 26, 2019 in Birmingham, England.

Story Highlights:

Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert signed casual playing contracts.

Williamson is unavailable for selection for the T20I series against Australia.

New Zealand are yet to announce the squad for T20I series against Australia at home.

Former New Zealand captain Kane Williamson along with Finn Allen, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert signed casual playing contracts for the upcoming 2025-26 season with New Zealand Cricket (NZC). However, Williamson is the only among these five cricketers to make himself unavailable for the tri-series at home against Australia next month. 

Williamson remains committed to playing T20 World Cup 2026 which will be played in India. Recently, he skipped the tri-series in Zimbabwe and two-Test series against Zimbabwe to play in the T20 Blast and two County Championship games. He led London Spirit in The Hundred as well. 

NZC CEO Scott Weenink is happy with players signing casual playing contracts months ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.

“With such a pinnacle event on the horizon we wanted to ensure our best T20 players were ready and available to push for inclusion,” Weenink said.

 

 

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“The casual agreements are a commitment from the players to NZC and the BlackCaps, and in return NZC will offer our full support to these players as part of our high-performance system.

 

 

“The message from the players is that playing for the BlackCaps is hugely important to them and I’m pleased we’ve been able to agree terms to have them casually contracted for the coming season.

 

 

“Rob and the team have a massive period of cricket ahead, home and away, and I know myself along with all of our fans can’t wait to follow and support."

 

 

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Last appearances for New Zealand players with casual playing contracts

Allen missed the T20I tri-series due to a foot injury. Ferguson missed the tri-series as well. His last appearance was in The Hundred for Trent Rockets. Seifert is currently playing in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. Conway is the only one among the five players to sign casual contracts to be part of squads for both formats on Zimbabwe tour. 

New Zealand to announce squad soon

Meanwhile, NZC are yet to announce their squad for the tri-series against Mitchell Marsh-led side. Santner left the Hundred 2025 midway due to groin injury and needed surgery. He faces a race against time to get fit for the series that begins on October 1.