Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Finn Allen and Tim Seifert have agreed terms to play on New Zealand Cricket casual playing agreements for the 2025-26 season. The arrangement ensures they can ply their trade on the franchise circuit but will remain part of the New Zealand high-performance system, "receiving coaching, medical and mental skills support, alongside access to gym and cricket facilities."

The quintet have committed themselves to New Zealand's T20 World Cup campaign next year in India and Sri Lanka but as part of the casual contract terms, they will need to be available for a specified number of series and games in the build-up to the marquee event.

However, Williamson has made himself unavailable for the three T20Is versus Australia in Mount Maunganui, starting on October 1. Allen will also miss the series as he recovers from a foot injury. The squad for the Chappell-Hadlee series is set to be named on Wednesday.

"With such a pinnacle event on the horizon we wanted to ensure our best T20 players were ready and available to push for inclusion," NZC CEO Scott Weenink said. "The casual agreements are a commitment from the players to NZC and the Black Caps, and in return NZC will offer our full support to these players as part of our high-performance system.

"The message from the players is that playing for the BLACKCAPS is hugely important to them and I'm pleased we've been able to agree terms to have them casually contracted for the coming season."