Changes to the BLACKCAPS and Wellington Firebirds' contracted player groups have in turn led to contracted opportunities for two more players at Domestic level this summer.
Last week, Auckland-based BLACKCAP Mark Chapman announced that he was giving up his NZC Central Contract and moving to a Casual contract in order to play in Australia's Big Bash this season, where he will join the Adelaide Strikers.
Chapman's decision led to Northern Districts contracted pacement Matt Fisher being elevated to his first ever NZC Central contract, and that's been good news for Northern's Cooper Rowell who now receives his first Domestic contract as Fisher's replacement on the ND list.
The Morrinsville-born 28-year-old has already appeared twice in the Plunket Shield and Ford Trophy competitions for ND, making his debut in both formats late last summer.
His opportunities came after consistent performances for Northern Districts A and his right-arm bowling talents will help to restock ND's arsenal when they are without the eye-catching pace of Fisher.
Cooper Rowell on first-class debut in Napier last season. Image: Margot Butcher
Meanwhile in Wellington, another seamer steps up with confirmation that 20-year-old seamer Ryan Tsourgas is joining the contracted squad with his first Domestic contract.
Like Rowell, Tsourgas has also impressed in the 'A' programme, as well as for Wellington Under 19.
Hailing from the Onslow Cricket Club, he also featured for New Zealand Under 19 at the 2024 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup in South Africa and his maiden contract comes as a result of Firebird Tim Robinson relinquishing his full-time contract with Cricket Wellington to take up an opportunity with the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash this summer.
Domestic men's contracts require players to be available for the entirety of the Super Smash, that conflicts with the Big Bash. Robinson is available to continue playing for the Firebirds on a Casual contract basis.
Firebirds Head Coach, former BLACKCAPS bowling guru Shane Jurgensen said that Tsourgas had been close to debuting for the Firebirds last season during their Ford Trophy campaign.
The new season begins in that one-day format on 28 October when the Firebirds will host the Otago Volts at the Cello Basin Reserve, with Northern Districts in Nelson to play current champs the Central Stags at Saxton Oval, and the Auckland Aces hosting Canterbury at Kennards Hire Community Oval at Eden Park.