‘There’s not many bigger than that’: New Zealand cricketer rejects T20 league contract to play India Test series | Cricket News
New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner has declined a Big Bash League contract from Adelaide Strikers so he can remain available for the Black Caps’ Test assignments against India and Australia.Santner was approached by the Strikers but decided that New Zealand’s international schedule should take priority. New Zealand are set to host India in a full series, including two Tests, from October 22 to December 1 before travelling to Australia for a four-Test series.“When you look ahead to the summer we’ve got, India here for white ball and Tests and Australia away – there’s not many bigger than that – it’s quite an exciting time. “I’d like to still be part of that,” Santner told the ‘New Zealand Herald’, as quoted by news agency PTI.“The offer was good, I’m not going to lie. They knew it would have to be a good offer for me to entertain it with contracting and what would come up.“I did entertain the thought of it, but coming back to what we’ve got coming up, even if I’m not going to play every game of Test cricket, I still feel like there’s a role for me,” he added.The 34-year-old also wants to continue as New Zealand captain and believes staying with the national team is the better choice for him at this stage of his career.“I don’t want to give up captaincy. If that was part of the deal, it was a no brainer for me. There were chats that it could have worked. But for me, sitting without a central contract and trying to captain, I don’t know if that would sit right at this stage.”New Zealand’s centrally contracted players are required to be available for the Super Smash in January, which currently overlaps with the BBL and South Africa’s SA20.Some New Zealand players have instead taken casual contracts, allowing them to play in overseas franchise leagues while still being available for international cricket.Santner said he understood why players were choosing that option, especially because of the difference in earnings between international cricket and franchise tournaments.“There’s no judgment with guys taking casual deals. We aren’t going to keep up with the money for some of these other opportunities going around,” Santner said.“But for me, I still want to be part of New Zealand cricket and what we’ve got coming up.”
