The New Zealand Cricket Players’ Association (NZCPA) is delighted to confirm the agreement of a new three year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the White Ferns environment. 

​There will now be 15 players awarded annual contracts with NZC each year.

Andrew Ellis is an effective domestic player but this year he shines above all others and commanded the top spot on this year’s Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP table. The experienced Cantabrian confirms his status as a leading domestic player by adding the coveted domestic Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP title to a long list of career achievements.  

Ellis all-rounder role within the Canterbury team means he is always in the game and this season he delivered consistently with over 1000 runs and 50 wickets across all competitions. 

A humble of team man, Kane Williamson, took a rare moment to celebrate a superb year of contributions to the Blackcaps after he was named as the recipient of the 4th PLAYERS’ Cap.

Only a day after walking away with a handful of honors at the New Zealand Cricket Awards - including Test, ODI International and T20 International Player of the Year awards, as well as the Redpath Cup for Batting - the calm right-hander was appropriately named as the 2015 recipient of the prestigious PLAYERS’ Cap during a function in Auckland.

There are no surprises about the two players atop the international Most Valuable Player rankings this year, although it may trip up many a punter to select Kane Williamson ahead of Brendon McCullum. But that is exactly how it stands.

McCullum has been remarkable with a well-documented record breaking double century against Pakistan and an agonisingly close 195 in Test cricket’s return to Christchurch during this year’s MVP season (starting with the tour to the West Indies). 

Jamie How will retire from all professional cricket at the end of this summer’s domestic Ford Trophy competition.

How, who played 19 Tests, 41 One Day Internationals and five T20Is for the BLACKCAPS, and captained his country during first-class matches on the 2007 tour of England, will step out of the game to take up a full-time role with Toyota New Zealand’s marketing team.

“These are never easy decisions to make but the time has come to embrace an opportunity outside cricket,” How said.

“The role with Toyota New Zealand was too good to pass up. I really thank them for the opportunity they’re providing, and I’m looking forward to the new challenge.

“Most importantly I’m looking forward to spending more regular time with my young family and to establishing a career after cricket”.