‘Not much bigger than this’: New Zealand cricketer turns down T20 league contract to play India Test series

New Zealand’s Mitchell Santner (left) celebrates Virat Kohli’s wicket on day three of the second Test match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune. (PTI File Photo) New Zealand white-ball captain Mitchell Santner has turned down a Big Bash League contract with the Adelaide Strikers to remain available for the Black Caps’ Tests against India and Australia.Santner was approached by the Strikers but they decided the New Zealand international schedule should take precedence. New Zealand are scheduled to host India for a full series, including two Tests, from October 22 to December 1 before traveling to Australia for a four-Test series.“When you look ahead to the summer we’ve got, with India here on the white ball and the Tests and Australia gone – there aren’t many bigger ones – it’s a pretty exciting time. I’d still like to be a part of it,” Santner told the ‘New Zealand Herald’, as quoted by news agency PTI.“The offer was good, I’m not going to lie. They knew it would be a good offer for me to entertain her by making a deal and what would come up.”“I thought about it, but going back to what we have in front of us, even if I don’t play every game of Test cricket, I still feel there is a role for me,” he added.The 34-year-old also wants to continue as New Zealand captain and believes staying with the national team is a better option for him at this stage of his career.“I don’t want to give up the captaincy. If it was part of the deal, it was a no-brainer for me. There were talks that it could work. But for me, sitting without a central contract and trying to be captain, I don’t know if it would fit at this stage.”New Zealand’s centrally contracted players must be available for the Super Smash in January, which currently overlaps with the BBL and SA20 in South Africa.Some New Zealand players instead entered into casual contracts, allowing them to play in overseas franchise leagues while still being available for international cricket.Santner said he understood why players chose this option, especially because of the difference in earnings between international cricket and franchise tournaments.“We can’t condemn people who do opportunity deals. We’re not going to keep up with the money for some of these other opportunities,” Santner said.“But for me, I still want to be a part of New Zealand cricket and what we’re up to.