First round of Auckland ACES contracts for 2026/27 announced
ACES
Auckland Cricket has announced the first 15 players to receive Auckland Aces domestic contracts for the 2026/27 season.
The contracted group blends proven performers with exciting emerging talent as the Aces prepare for another summer of domestic cricket.
General Manager of Performance & Talent Daniel Archer said the squad reflects the strong progress made over the past 12 months and the club's ambition for the season ahead.
"We are excited by the group we have assembled for the coming season here at Auckland. Having seen the growth and development last season, we know that everyone is determined again to keep improving and achieve some collective success across the three formats and also continue to see players progress into Blackcaps or New Zealand A opportunities," said Archer.
Three players return or join the contracted list for the new season. Young batter Luke Watson earns his first Auckland Aces contract after an outstanding introduction to first-class cricket at the back end of last season. The talented left-handed top order batter scored 180 runs across his first two Plunket Shield matches, highlighted by an impressive 86 on debut against Wellington.
Allrounder James Neesham also returns to the Auckland domestic contract list, taking up his first New Zealand Cricket contract - domestic or international - since the 2021/22 season. Neesham will be available for the limited overs competitions, the Super Smash and Ford Trophy.
Leg-spinner Adithya Ashok is also back on the Auckland contract list after missing out on a New Zealand central contract for the 2026/27 season.
The first 15 contracted players are:
|
Player |
Club |
|
Adithya Ashok** |
Suburbs New Lynn |
|
Cam Fletcher |
Suburbs New Lynn |
|
Ryan Harrison |
East Coast Bays |
|
Simon Keene |
North Shore |
|
Rohit Kumar*** |
Papatoetoe |
|
Bevon Jacobs |
Hibiscus Coast |
|
Ben Lister |
Suburbs New Lynn |
|
Jock McKenzie |
North Shore |
|
James Neesham** |
Suburbs New Lynn |
|
Angus Olliver |
Auckland University |
|
Dale Phillips |
Howick Pakuranga |
|
Samrath Singh |
Cornwall |
|
Sean Solia |
Suburbs New Lynn |
|
Lachlan Stackpole |
Howick Pakuranga |
|
Luke Watson* |
East Coast Bays |
One additional domestic contract will be announced on the 21st of July, completing the Auckland Aces' 16-player contracted squad for the upcoming season.
The 2026/27 season shapes as an exciting one for the Auckland Aces, with a strong core of experienced performers complemented by emerging young talent eager to build on their breakthroughs from last summer.
* First time contract
** Returning to contract list
*** Rohit Kumar (formerly Rohit Gulati) has updated his playing name to reflect his legal passport name, and will be known as Rohit Kumar across all cricket records going forward.
Article added: Monday 06 July 2026
