Tickner, Allen handed New Zealand central contract

Tickner has played six ODIs and 11 T20Is for New Zealand, while Allen has represented the team in eight ODIs and 13 T20Is.

Tickner made his international debut in 2019, but has been a regular in the side only for the past one year. With 21 wickets in 17 internationals, New Zealand coach Gary Stead believes the fast bowler has potential to improve.

“Blair’s been in BLACKCAPS squads for all three formats over the past 12 months which is testament to his progress,” Stead said. "He’s a bowler who just keeps improving and we’ve been particularly impressed with his red-ball development, which saw him in the recent squads for the England and South Africa Tests.

"He knows the environment, understands his role, and bowls with good pace and aggression."

Allen, 23, is an up and coming batter with already over 600 runs in 21 internationals.

"Finn clearly has huge talent and potential,” Stead praised the batter. "He’s shown he’s up to the international level in his limited opportunities to date.

"In particular, his match-winning 96 against West Indies on a difficult wicket in Barbados showed his class and maturity."

Meanwhile, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham, who was left out of the initial contracts list, declined the offer of a fresh contract citing pre-arranged agreements with domestic T20 leagues around the world instead.

"I know the news of my decision to decline a central contract today will be seen as me choosing money over representing my country," Neesham wrote on his Instagram stories.

"I had planned to accept a contract offer in July, however since being left off the list I have committed to other leagues around the world. It was a difficult decision but I have decided to honour those commitments rather than go back on my word to re-sign with NZ Cricket.

"Playing for the [Blackcaps] has been the greatest honour of my career and I remain committed to taking the field with my countrymen for the foreseeable future, especially in pinnacle world events."