Southee calls for T20 leagues and clubs to work together to resolve the league vs. state debate.

The NZ Test captain will miss any of their six approaching matches in Asia if the wind and spinners are needed.

Their Test captain Tim Southee is hoping that sheets and company teams "work together in some way" to facilitate people ' alternative between clubs and nations as more and more New Zealand global people leave central contracts and enter T20 deals elsewhere. As well as Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, and Adam Milne have recently opted out of New Zealand cricket's ( NZC ) central contracts, the country have been among the hardest hit.

The most recent additions to the list are Devon Conway and Finn Allen, who will perform for the BBL team Perth Scorchers on a two-year package. Conway has signed a relaxed deal, which means he will be available for all nine Tests New Zealand will play in the upcoming winter and will only lose the white-ball games in January to compete in the SA20 competition, just like Williamson.

Southee, speaking on the sidelines of the CEAT cricket rating awards in Mumbai, said," Yes, I think that's decisions that each inpidual board is taking into account." " The franchise leagues and the franchise world are obviously expanding at this point. It would be nice to see the international]boards ] and the leagues working together in some way because, especially Test cricket, I think for a lot of players is still the pinnacle of the format.

" I guess it's the way cricket is moving and the number of T20 leagues that are popping up." To look at it from Kane and Devon's point of view, they're still committed to New Zealand cricket, and we've got nine Test matches coming up. So they're committed to those Test matches. So as far as the Test side is concerned, it's not too dissimilar. They're still going to be there even though they do n't have a New Zealand contract."

Southee, speaking for himself, said he holds the Test format" closest to the heart, "even if he has not had to forego much of international cricket for T20 leagues around the world. He spent New Zealand's off-season playing the Hundred where he was the top wicket-taker for Birmingham Phoenix, with a tally of 14 and an economy rate of 6.81.

" Format-wise, I think Test cricket is still the pinnacle for me and the format I hold closest to the heart," Southee said". I really enjoy the T20, the Hundred format keeps you young, keeps you guessing, keeps you thinking and trying to improve your game, and your skill set, which helps across the other formats."

New Zealand will now head to Asia for six Tests- one against Afghanistan in India, two against Sri Lanka and three against India- before flying back home to host England for three Tests in November-December. Although the current calendar conflict with T20 leagues may not have much an impact on New Zealand's player availability in the upcoming season, NZC may experience bigger issues if the trend of opting out of central contracts persists in tandem with the changing nature of franchise T20 cricket.

When asked how this problem could be solved, Southee said:" I do n't have the answers. Right now, I do n't think many people do. Therefore, I believe it is about determining which options are most beneficial for each interactive board and its users. That's the best course of action for the upcoming year, according to New Zealand Cricket. I do n't think Kane and Devon will miss a lot of cricket for New Zealand. So for them to have the flexibility in doing that, but still also be committed to New Zealand, which I think that's where the casual playing agreement comes in."

' Ideally, I'd like to play all Tests in the coming months '

As New Zealand embark on their subcontinent journey for the Test against Afghanistan starting on September 9, they will also consider leaving Southee out of the XI for some of the games to accommodate more spinners in the XI, head coach Gary Stead had recently said. Southee is the captain of the Test squad for the Tests against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, but if the conditions are n't too favourable for seamers, Stead and Southee have decided the captain may have to serve drinks instead.

" I think it's just natural when you come to this part of the world," Southee said", obviously spin plays a big part but ideally, I'd like to play all the Test matches available. I love Test cricket, but I understand there's balance to the side and obviously it's not easy as a pace bowler to be able to play nine Test matches in the next few months. So there's a lot of Test cricket so it's all about managing the workloads. But for me, as long as you're fit and ready to go, then I'd like to play every game.

Ajaz Patel, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Michael Bracewell, and Glenn Phillips are New Zealand's top spin-bowling options for the first three Tests in Asia, and the team management will choose the best XI for each match based on the circumstances.

" Yeah, I guess it was a conversation we ( Stead and I ) had in case that it becomes something that we have to look at", Southee said about the balance of the side. " I think, like I said, we've got six Test matches in the subcontinent. Balance to your side is something you talk about, but yeah, it may happen, it may not happen, but it's just something that we've talked about, that if it does happen, then we're across it. So, yes, I'd love to participate in every Test match, but you also consider the best teams to play for the test, which is how you decide who your team will be.

No matter where you are in the world, I believe you always choose your best side for that Test match, which is exactly the case. Over the course of five days, you make your decision. So we've got a lot of cricket in the subcontinent, six Test matches and then three Test matches back home."

Ironically, Southee's best Test figures came in India, when he grabbed 7 for 64 in Bengaluru in 2012 and overall too he averages 28.70 in five Tests in India, which is a shade better than his career Test average of 29.61. In Asia, that average further dips to 26.50 from 17 Tests, which includes a five-for in Kanpur from his last visit to India.