The first round of fourteen (14) domestic contracts have been offered to Otago Volts players today, as the 2022/23 squad begins to take shape.

In compiling the list of offers, an Otago Cricket contract review group, managed by GM Performance Steve Martin, engaged coaching staff including head coach Dion Ebrahim, Volt’s selectors and NZC High Performance staff to consider the agreed contract criteria as set out in the Master Agreement.

Otago welcome three new players to the contract group – Andrew Hazeldine, Ben Lockrose, and Jacob Cumming.

Being centrally contracted by NZC, Glenn Phillips’ contract will not count towards Otago’s domestic contracts.

Otago Volts head coach, Dion Ebrahim, welcomed the new additions.

“It is exciting to have a great blend of experience and young talent in our first-round contract list for the coming season,” said Ebrahim.

“Newcomers Jacob Cumming and Ben Lockrose have earnt their spots by virtue of their club, A and provincial form. Andrew Hazeldine transferring down from Canterbury gives us a point of difference in our bowling attack with his raw pace, left arm seam and aggressive mindset,” Ebrahim continued.

“These new players will complement a team that is sprinkled with provincial and BLACKCAPS experience. We are all looking forward to the new season.”

Having missed the past two NZ domestic seasons due to VISA complications, Foxcroft has been offered, and accepted, a first-round contract with Otago Cricket and is excited at the opportunity of coming back to Dunedin to pick up where he left off 2 years ago.

Based on the borders opening on the 31st of July, Otago Cricket will now work through the visa process.

The experienced duo of Jacob Duffy and Hamish Rutherford will form the nucleus of the squad, combining for a whopping 450+ appearances for Otago between them.

Hamish Rutherford sits as Otago’s second-highest run-scorer in T20 cricket and will be looking to pass his father’s (Ken Rutherford) place as the fifth highest run-scorer for Otago in first-class cricket.

Otago’s fast bowling stocks, boosted by the inclusion of Andrew Hazeldine, will have a similar look to 2021/22 - with Jarrod McKay, Jake Gibson, and Travis Muller all returning to the contract group.

Otago will lean on the experience of fast bowlers Jacob Duffy (398 wickets) & Michael Rae (163 wickets) for inspiration throughout the season.

Newly named BLACKCAP, Michael Rippon, adds balance and a point of difference to the squad with his left-arm unorthodox bowling & hard-hitting through the middle order.

Dale Phillips & Max Chu both enjoyed successful seasons last year, and reclaim their place on the contract list.

Two (2) contract positions remain open. Otago Cricket will submit its final contract offer to NZC and NZCPA in the coming days, with the announcement to follow.

Otago Volts Contracts (2021/22)

First Round

1. Matt BACON
2. Max CHU
3. Jacob CUMMING*
4. Jacob DUFFY
5. Dean FOXCOFT
6. Jake GIBSON
7. Andrew HAZELDINE*
8. Ben LOCKROSE*
9. Jarrod MCKAY
10. Travis MULLER
11. Dale PHILLIPS
12. Michael RAE
13. Michael RIPPON
14. Hamish RUTHERFORD

*Indicates new contract offer.

*ENDS*

Article added: Wednesday, 9am. Embargoed to media until 10am.

Please contact wkindley@otagocricket.co.nz directly for any media requests.

Article added: Wednesday 22 June 2022