Kane Williamson, the 19-year old Northern Districts batsman, is one of four new faces on New Zealand's 20-member contracts list for the next year. The other three are offspinner Nathan McCullum, fast bowler Andy McKay and wicketkeeper-batsman BJ Watling. Allrounder Scott Styris has returned to New Zealand Cricket's elite group after missing out on a contract last year.
The players who drop out of the contract pool are retired fast bowler Iain O'Brien, batsmen Neil Broom and Daniel Flynn, and the fast bowling pair of Ian Butler and James Franklin.
Contracted players:Brent Arnel, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Gareth Hopkins, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Nathan McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Andy McKay, Kyle Mills, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Scott Styris, Ross Taylor, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson
Looking at those names they will continue to fight for fifth spot in Test crickets rankings