Gary Stead is worried about the future of New Zealand cricketers in light of rising T20 leagues around the world

New Zealand’s head coach Gary Stead anticipates the increasing franchise T20 scene to put further strain on New Zealand’s playing resources, as selectors prepare to confront Trent Boult’s immediate future given that he no longer holds a central contract after leaving it in early August. During New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan in December and January in the coming days, Boult has deals in the BBL and ILT20. Colin de Grandhomme announced his international retirement after taking a BBL contract just weeks after Boult’s decision to opt-out of a central contract. Then, in September, Jimmy Neesham declined an NZC contract in order to fulfil overseas league commitments.

“I think New Zealand are a country that has been challenged a little with the likes of Trent and Colin de Grandhomme, and the decisions they’ve made. So I think in the next 12 months we will continue to be challenged with our thinking around that, and what that looks like. I don’t necessarily have an answer for you now because I’m not sure what that will look like in 12 months’ time,” he told reporters in Sydney after NZ lost the SF against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia.

Read More: Pakistan v New Zealand: Talking Points

What next for New Zealand?

On Monday, they will announce their roster for six limited-overs games against India. The first match of that series will be on November 18. Although Boult had stated that he would stay available for selection despite not being on a full-time contract with NZC, there was no assurance that he would be selected after the World Cup. The NZC has adjusted the IPL’s pressures by allowing players to miss late-season internationals and come late for tours after the competition, but the newer leagues now entirely overlap with their season adding a distinct element.

“I think it is a bigger challenge than the IPL – no doubt about it, I’m sure we have a number of players that are attractive to some of the leagues as well. That says something about their calibre as players and the way we play as a team. So there’s no doubt a lot of thinking and a lot of talking needs to go through that area”, Stead admitted.