Cricketers earn a majority of their incomes from the central contracts offered to them by their respective cricket boards. Like the BCCI issues a list of contracted players every year, the cricket governing bodies of other nations also announce the list of players who have signed the central contracts.
If a player signs this contract, they guarantee themselves to be available for every international series which their nation will play. Also, if they wish to take a break or prefer to play in any T20 league, they will have to seek permission from their cricket board.
Looking at the growing popularity of T20 leagues, several cricketers have preferred playing in leagues over international tours. The following four popular names also rejected central contracts from their boards to make themselves available for T20 leagues.
1. One of the New Zealand cricketers – Trent Boult
Kiwi speedster Trent Boult has been the backbone of the New Zealand cricket team’s pace-bowling attack in all three formats of the game. He played a pivotal role in the team’s ICC World Test Championship 2021 win and the journey to the finals of 2019 Cricket World Cup and ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
However, earlier this year, Boult confirmed that he has asked for his release from the list of NZC central contracts.
2. One of the New Zealand cricketers – Jimmy Neesham
Another Blackcaps star to feature on the list is Jimmy Neesham. Earlier today, Neesham informed his fans that representing New Zealand is a huge honor for him, but he has not signed a central contract for the new season.
3. Mohammad Hafeez
Last year, PCB offered a Category ‘C’ contract to their star all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez. However, the experienced player ‘politely rejected’ the offer. He retired from international cricket a few months later.
4. Evin Lewis
Back in 2018/19, Caribbean batter Evin Lewis declined a place in the list of centrally contracted players for West Indies. He favored T20 leagues over a central contract.
