Gillespie Misses Out on Kiwis Contract

Wellington: Injury-prone paceman Mark Gillespie has missed out on a central contract with New Zealand despite tearing through South Africa's batsmen in the home series in March.

Gillespie played in only the second and third matches of the three-Test series but took 11 wickets at an average of 22.81 to finish with his team's best bowling figures.

The 32-year-old has battled fitness problems in recent seasons and missed out on a fast bowler's camp in Brisbane as he struggles with an ankle injury but was expected to join the Test squad on the tour of West Indies next month.

Dean Brownlie, Doug Bracewell, Andrew Ellis, Tarun Nethula and Kruger van Wyk are offered contracts for the first time this year.  James Franklin regains a central contract after missing out last year.

Players included in last year’s list who are not contracted for 2012-13 include Hamish Bennett, Neil Broom, Andy McKay, Jesse Ryder, Luke Woodcock and Reece Young.

The Major Association contracts will be announced 22 July 2012.

Contracted players:

• Trent Boult – Northern Knights
• Doug Bracewell – Central Stags
• Dean Brownlie – Canterbury Wizards
• Andrew Ellis – Canterbury Wizards
• Daniel Flynn – Northern Knights
• James Franklin – Wellington Firebirds
• Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
• Chris Martin – Auckland Aces
• Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
• Nathan McCullum – Otago Volts
• Kyle Mills – Auckland Aces
• Tarun Nethula – Central Stags
• Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
• Jacob Oram – Central Stags
• Tim Southee – Northern Knights
• Ross Taylor – Central Stags
• Kruger van Wyk – Central Stags
• Daniel Vettori – Northern Knights
• BJ Watling – Northern Knights
• Kane Williamson – Northern Knights