NZC offers cushion for players who lose central contracts

The New Zealand board will retain any players who lose central contracts on lesser provincial contracts.

Speaking to The Sunday News, Heath Mills, New Zealand Cricket Players' Association's chief executive, said: "We have confirmed there will be a transitional contract payment - I was delighted we got that over the line. They would receive one month's further contract payment at the bottom level of NZ$48,000. But the payments would be split over two months.

"It will help them transition from having regular income into their bank accounts, to not. It will help them bridge the gap between June 1 and October 1.

"Make no bones about it, it is a very tough time when someone misses a contract. There is a financial hit and the cricketing hit. They make the assumption, 'I am out of the frame now - what am I going to do?'

"We have a career and personal development programme in place. We assist the guys with their off-field development and any risk-management they need to consider."