Auckland, 1 July 2025: New Zealand’s six Major Associations have confirmed their first round of 2025/26 men’s domestic contracts, featuring major player transfers, new signings, and rising stars earning their first professional deals.
Dean Foxcroft headlines the list of movements, returning to Central Districts after six seasons with Otago. The BLACKCAPS allrounder was Otago’s leading white-ball run-scorer in 2024/25 and leaves with 105 appearances, 3,592 runs, and 97 wickets.
Key player transfers across Major Associations
- Dean Foxcroft – Otago ➝ Central Districts
- Dale Phillips – Otago ➝ Auckland (1,094 runs in 2024/25, Otago Cricketer of the Year)
- Leo Carter – Otago ➝ Canterbury (returns after stint with Volts)
- Danru Ferns – Auckland ➝ Otago (2023/24 Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year)
- Jack Boyle – Central Districts ➝ Otago (third association)
- Troy Johnson – Wellington ➝ Otago (titles in all three formats)
Newcomers earning first-time domestic contracts
Auckland Aces
- Lachie Stackpole – U19 World Cup player, debuts in all formats
- Rohit Gulati – left-arm spinner, ex-Northern Districts
- Harrish Kannan – top-order bat, moved from Melbourne
- Sid Dixit – first-time contract
- Samrath Singh – pacer, debut wicket of Rachin Ravindra
Northern Districts
Xavier Bell, 18, joins the list after smashing two double centuries and leading run charts for ND A.
Wellington Firebirds
- Sam Morgan – two centuries for Wellington A
- Amogh Paranjpe – standout seam bowler in Pearce Cup Final
Canterbury
- Jesse Frew – keeper-batter, U19 NZ tour to Australia
- Scott Jannett – scored 93 in 2nd First-Class match
Otago Volts
Mason Clarke, 18, joins the Volts’ pace attack after representing NZ at the U19 World Cup, including a 4-62 performance against India.
Key returns to domestic contracts
- Ish Sodhi – back with Canterbury after BLACKCAPS duty
- Doug Bracewell, Josh Clarkson, Ajaz Patel – return to Central Districts
- Zak Gibson, Tim Pringle, Scott Kuggeleijn – rejoin Northern Districts after injury breaks
2025/26 men’s domestic contract lists – 1st round
Northern Districts: Xavier Bell, Josh Brown, Joe Carter, Katene Clarke, Kristian Clarke, Henry Cooper, Matthew Fisher, Zak Gibson, Brett Hampton, Scott Kuggeleijn, Robbie O’Donnell, Ben Pomare, Bharat Popli, Tim Pringle, Jeet Raval
Auckland: Cam Fletcher, Matt Gibson, Rohit Gulati, Bevon-John Jacobs, Harrish Kannan, Simon Keene, Ben Lister, Jock McKenzie, Angus Olliver, Dale Phillips, Sid Dixit, Samrat Singh, Sean Solia, Lachie Stackpole, Jordan Sussex
Central Districts: Doug Bracewell, Tom Bruce, Will Clark, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver, Toby Findlay, Dean Foxcroft, Curtis Heaphy, Jayden Lennox, Ajaz Patel, Brett Randell, Angus Schaw, Brad Schmulian, Blair Tickner, Ray Toole
Wellington: Liam Dudding, Nick Greenwood, James Hartshorn, Nick Kelly, Callum McLachlan, Samuel Morgan, Sam Mycock, Amogh Paranjpe, Tim Robinson, Gareth Severin, Michael Snedden, Jesse Tashkoff, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Yahya Zeb
Canterbury: Chad Bowes, Matt Boyle, Leo Carter, Jesse Frew, Scott Janett, Rhys Mariu, Cole McConchie, Angus McKenzie, Cam Paul, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Michael Rae, Michael Rippon, Matt Rowe, Fraser Sheat
Otago: Matt Bacon, Jack Boyle, Max Chu, Mason Clarke, Jacob Cumming, Danru Ferns, Luke Georgeson, Jake Gibson, Andrew Hazeldine, Lew Johnson, Troy Johnson, Ben Lockrose, Jarrod Mackay, Thorn Parkes, Jamal Todd
