Auckland: Michael Bates, Andrew de Boorder, Colin de Grandhomme, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Paul Hitchcock, Richard Jones, Tim McIntosh, Andy McKay, Rob Nicol, Lance Shaw, Reece Young

Canterbury: Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Hamish Bennett, Leighton Burtt, Andrew Ellis, Brandon Hiini, Johann Myburgh, Michael Papps, Iain Robertson, Shanan Stewart, Kruger Van Wyk, one TBC

Central Districts: Brendon Diamanti, Bevan Griggs, Greg Hay, Brent Hefford, Peter Ingram, Tim Lythe, Mitchell McClenaghan, Robbie Schaw, Richard Sherlock, Mathew Sinclair, Ewen Thompson, Tim Weston

Northern Districts: Graeme Aldridge, Simon Andrews, Brent Arnel, Trent Boult, Bruce Martin, Peter McGlashan, Cameron Merchant, Michael Parlane, Bradley Scott, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson, Joseph Yovich

Otago: Derek de Boorder, Neil Broom, Ian Butler, Craig Cumming, Mathew Harvie, Nathan McCullum, James McMillan, Warren McSkimming, Leighton Morgan, Craig Smith, Greg Todd, Neil Wagner

Wellington: Matthew Bell, Harry Boam, Dewayne Bowden, Josh Brodie, Michael Burns, BJ Crook, Grant Elliott, Kevin Forde, Mark Houghton, Chris Nevin, Neal Parlane, Luke Woodcock

As per usual, the announcing of this list has seen a number of changes and talking points. Starting with Auckland, there are four changes: out go Andre Adams, Dave Houpapa, Mayu Pasupati and Daryl Tuffey, and in come Bates, de Boorder, Hira and McKay. Adams & Tuffey of course signed for the ICL. Bates is a left arm seamer, who showed promise at a young age (he was selected in the national U19 squad alongside the likes of Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder) but has not yet kicked on. He made his first class debut at the end of 2003, but then did not feature again for Auckland until last season when he played a handful of matches, taking 7 wickets at 26 in the Championship, but bowled without success in the Shield. Andrew de Boorder made 88 on debut last season, and will be one for the future at only 20 years old. Hira will be into his third season with the Aces, even though he is only 21 years old. At this stage he is used primarily in the one day matches, where he has bowled with reasonable success. McKay is a player who definitely has the talent to gain higher honours, but frustratingly has not been consistent enough for Auckland in previous seasons. He looks a more likely prospect in the longer form of the game, and will need to really step up this season with the likes of Mills and Martin on international duty, and Adams and Tuffey away at the ICL. Some players might feel a little unlucky to have missed out, but those that are next in line are all young and will no doubt get their chances to impress during the season. They include the likes of Greg Morgan, Colin Munro and Gareth Hayne.

To Canterbury now, where at this stage there are two changes. They have yet to name one player though, so there could yet be three changes. Out go veteran all rounder Chris Harris (ICL), batsman Ben Rae and fast bowler Amandeep Singh, and in come the exciting young all rounder Anderson and Papps (not offered a NZC contract), plus one to be named. Anderson is only 17 years old, but has already represented the Wizards in both the Shield and Championship competitions. He has also been in the NZ U19 squad since he was 16 years old, and is currently in Australia at the Emerging Players Tournament. Clearly he has been identified as a future Black Cap. Papps started last season as one of NZ’s test openers, but reached double figures only once during the tour (including warm up matches) and so was sent back to domestic cricket to find some form, missing out on the England series. To be fair, he did manage to find some form, but was far too inconsistent and will need to change that if he is to push his way back into national contention. As for the other spot, it looks like it will be filled by a bowler. Michael Davidson was used last season and bowled quite well, so might be the front runner, whilst in club cricket, Ryan McCone and Jason Pawson had good seasons in both forms of the game.

Central Districts have made three changes from last season: out go Canadian international opener Geoff Barnett, bowler Greg Hegglun and bowler Dominic Rayner, who didn’t actually play a game last season. In come bowlers McClenaghan & Sherlock, plus another dumped by NZC, Sinclair. McClenaghan made his debut last season but bowled without any success, He is still young however, and will seek to improve this season, especially with having the experience of fellow pacers Hefford & Thompson to call upon. Sherlock was identified as a prodigious talent some years ago, but he has never looked even close to fulfilling that promise. Is back this season after a stint in Australia and really needs to start delivering this season – 5 years after his debut. As for Sinclair, well, what can one say that hasn’t already been said? Has all the talent in the world, and always seems to deliver at domestic level, but a combination of factors have contributed to his inconsistency and subsequent merry go round in and out of the national team. The fact that he has accepted a contract (as opposed to moving offshore, which he has previously threatened to do) is a good sign though, and shows he still has a burning desire to play for NZ. You would be a fool to bet against him. The Stags have some good young talent knocking on the door too, and a number of them have already represented CD, such as George Worker, Michael Taiaroa, James de Terte and Kurt Richards.

Northern Districts have had the most number of changes with six in total. However, three of these are enforced, with Daniel Flynn, James Marshall and Tim Southee elevated to NZC contracts. The other three not given contracts are Nick Horsley, Mark Orchard (who turned down a contract to focus on areas outside cricket, but may still play as a non-contracted player) and Brad Wilson. Their replacements are Andrews, Boult, Merchant, Parlane, Scott and Williamson. Andrews, although not a very well known name in NZ cricketing circles has been around for a long time – he played in the Shell Trophy and State Max competitions. He is primarily a bowler, but can bat a bit, and has forced his way back into the Knights squad after a number of years on the outer. Boult is one for the future. He is yet to make his first class or list A debut, but has played a number of matches for the NZ U19s where he has excelled with the ball, most notably in the one day format where his average is 18.53, economy rate 3.95, and boasts the remarkable strike rate of 28.15. Merchant is a former Queensland age-grade representative; a top order batsman. He played a handful of matches at the tail end of last season for the Knights, and showed glimpses of his talent with a couple of good knocks. Much is expected of Merchant. Returning to the province after 5 years in Wellington is batsman Parlane, who boasts huge experience and will probably now wrap up his career at home. A good domestic player who will be invaluable to the younger players in the team. Another player to transfer to ND is former Otago bowler Scott, who has been on the brink of national selection for awhile now. He is currently attending his third Emerging Players tournament, and this could well be the season in which he cracks the national side. Williamson is another of the U19 players to have now made this step. He captained NZ at the recent World Cup, and has in fact played a few games for ND. His current statistics make for pretty meagre reading, but there is no doubting his potential.

To Otago now, where there are four changes from last season: missing are Shaun Haig, Aaron Redmond (elevated to a NZC cricket), Bradley Scott (transferred to ND) and Nic Turner, and coming in are former Black Caps seamer Butler (from ND), opening batsman Morgan, bowler Smith and bowler Wagner. After suffering a back injury, Butler has not played any first class cricket since 2004. He has played some one day and T20 cricket though, and appears to be a straight swap for Brad Scott. He has obviously lost some pace, but will be keen to resurrect his career down south. Morgan made his first class debut 6 years ago, but has never been able to cement a spot, playing only 8 matches. Has to contend with Redmond & Cumming also. Smith is a young left arm seamer, so will provide Otago with the variety that Scott otherwise would have, and may become a permanent fixture in this team. Wagner is another South African cricketer that has moved here, although at 22 years old he is considerably younger than the likes of Grant Elliott and Johann Myburgh. Has represented the South Africa Academy, so clearly has some potential. Mike Hesson, Otago’s coach, has indicated that Wagner has aspirations to play for NZ.

Finally to Wellington, where four changes have been made. Iain O’Brien and Jesse Ryder have been elevated to NZC contracts, Michael Parlane has moved back to ND, and Jeremy Dean has missed out. Replacing this quartet are schoolboy batting all rounder Boam, young opening batsman Brodie, middle order batsman Crook and  bowler Mark Houghton. There has been some talk about Boam’s inclusion ahead of U19 team mate Fraser Colson, and it appears as though Boam received the nod because of his ability to bowl some overs, which will be crucial as Grant Elliott is expected to be involved with the Black Caps for much of the season. Boam is the first schoolboy to be given a Wellington contract. Brodie has scored a lot of runs at lower levels such as Provincial A tournaments and club cricket, and will be looking to add to his one first class appearance. In his debut match last season, he scored a crucial 34 runs to help Wellington to victory by 2 wickets in a low scoring innings. Crook is another who has scored a lot of runs at lower levels, and also bowls some medium pace. Is known for his versatility, and will no doubt add to his four first class appearances. Houghton has made appearances for Wellington in all forms of the game, but has not really made an impact. Will probably share the spinning duties with Luke Woodcock, but really needs to take on more responsibility in this area. A major talking point in Wellington’s list was the exclusion of Stephen Fleming. Both parties have indicated their positions, and it appears as though it is Fleming’s call now whether he will carry on at all.

Another point of interest will be to see which, if any, teams employ the services of an overseas professional – usually someone British. In the last few years we have seen the likes of Charlie Shreck, Graham Napier, Mal Loye, Andrew Strauss, Jonathan Trott, Alex Gidman and Kyle Hogg ply their trade here, and I have little doubt we will see more this season.