Kane Williamson will miss the upcoming T20I series against Australia but is committed to playing in the T20 World Cup after signing a casual playing agreement with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) alongside Devon Conway, Finn Allen, Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert.

The five players were not among the 20 centrally contracted New Zealand players announced in June for the 2025-26 season but have signed casual agreements in order to have some flexibility between playing for New Zealand, remaining within the high-performance system, and taking up franchise opportunities overseas. 

Allen, Seifert and Ferguson have existing BBL contracts that will see them play in Australia while the New Zealand Super Smash is taking place. New Zealand women's captain Sophie Devine has signed a similar agreement for 2025-26 as she intends to retire from ODI cricket after the upcoming World Cup in India but remains available for T20Is.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)