Jimmy Neesham contracted by Auckland for 2026-27 season

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham has been contracted by Auckland for the 2026-27 domestic season. This is Neesham’s first New Zealand cricket contract, domestic or international, since 2021-22. The 35-year-old all-rounder is currently with Glamorgan in Wales for the 2026 T20 Blast and has made himself available for the 50-over Ford Trophy and the 20-over Super Smash for the upcoming season.

Neesham appeared in the 2025-26 Ford Trophy for Auckland as a freelance player but will feature in the Super Smash for the first time since 2023. He played two games for Auckland, scoring 61 runs. Auckland has also added wrist-spinner Adi Ashok to their team, who was in Chennai to train with former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin during the previous New Zealand winter. He was given an NZC Central Contract for the 2025-26 cycle but has been omitted from the list for the current cycle.

Batter Nick Kelly has made his switch from Wellington, returning to the Northern Districts. He led Wellington in the last three seasons and is currently with the New Zealand squad on their tour of the West Indies. 19-year-old all-rounder Snehith Reddy, who recently represented the Black Caps in the Under-19s, has signed his first professional contract with the Northern District. 

Wellington has acquired former Canterbury seamer and New Zealand international Henry Shipley. He joins after seam bowler Michael Snedden announced his retirement from professional cricket in June. They will also have access to wicketkeeper-batter Devon Conway, who has signed an NZC Central Contract.

In news broken earlier by Cricinfo, it was reported that four players, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson, had signed casual playing contracts with NZC for the 2026-27 season, allowing them to participate in franchise leagues across the world, while also being accessible for New Zealand selection. The four players are regulars in the T20I sides. Kane Williamson, who announced his retirement from international cricket amid the Test series against England, was on a similar deal during the previous cycle.