Hopkins earns New Zealand contract

Gareth Hopkins, the Otago wicketkeeper, and Mark Gillespie have been added to New Zealand's contract list for 2007-08 while Andre Adams and Mathew Sinclair have been dumped. There was also no place for Daryl Tuffey, despite the fast bowler being selected in New Zealand's World Cup squad.

Craig McMillan retained his spot after being added during the year as a replacement for the retired Nathan Astle. Hopkins's presence might allow an occasional rest for Brendon McCullum, who plays in all forms of the game.

Hopkins had a strong domestic season, making 514 first-class runs at 85.66. That forced the selectors to consider him, giving the New Zealand squad two wicketkeepers for the first time since 2003-04, when Robbie Hart was included.

McCullum has not missed a Test since his debut in 2004 and his absence from the ODI series in England later that year was the last time he was not in the team. Lindsay Crocker, the New Zealand general manager, said there were no specific concerns over McCullum's fitness but adding Hopkins gave them options.

"Brendon has been extremely durable, we've been very fortunate," Crocker said. "We hope that continues. But other countries would suggest that we may not always be as fortunate in future years and we should have quality cover in all positions.

"Gareth has been there and thereabouts the last couple of years and has been just below the line. In recent years there was a bit of contestability in the second keeping option but on the back of a strong season he's opened up a bit of a gap."

The promotion of Gillespie, who made his limited-overs debut in December and then went to the World Cup, was no surprise. From his 17 ODIs, Gillespie has 18 wickets at 42.16 with an economy rate of 5.6.

The reappearance of McMillan in national colours proves there is hope for those players who dropped off the list. However, Sinclair, who played both Tests against Sri Lanka in December with limited impact, will need to lift his output in the domestic competition - he managed only 375 runs at 34.09 for Central Districts in 2006-07.

Adams, who earned 32 State Championship wickets at 18.78 as well as scoring 318 runs at 39.75, was unlucky to miss out. Crocker said Adams, Sinclair and Craig Cumming suffered because they were considered specialists in only one form of the game.

"Andre's regarded as more of a one-day specialist than a Test contender and in the ranking system we used, that affects his ability to be ranked up the order, relative to other players," Crocker said. Despite playing no international matches since last May, Michael Papps has retained his contract on the back of a prolific domestic season that saw him break the 1000-run barrier.

Full list of contracted players Shane Bond, Stephen Fleming, James Franklin, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Craig McMillan, Hamish Marshall, Chris Martin, Michael Mason, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Michael Papps, Jeetan Patel, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori, Lou Vincent.