Blackcaps icon Ross Taylor has put himself in contention to join Australia's Big Bash League, adding his name to the upcoming player draft.
After retiring from international cricket at the end of New Zealand's 2022 home summer, 38-year-old Taylor will continue his playing career in the game's shortest format.
Taylor played a New Zealand record 450 matches for the Blackcaps, across an international career spanning over 16 years.
And as Australia's T20 league implements a player draft for the first time, New Zealand's all-time leading test and ODI run scorer is in the mix to be picked up by one of the eight franchises.
With no international or club commitments, Taylor would be free to play the entire Big Bash League season, which runs from December 13 to February 4.
Taylor had signalled his intent to represent Central Districts in New Zealand's upcoming Super Smash tournament, but being drafted to play in Australia would likely see those prospects diminish greatly.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is another to have declared for the upcoming draft, after he was left off the New Zealand central contract list for the upcoming season, before also leaving Wellington Firebirds.
Despite missing out on a central contract, 31-year-old Neesham is still part of the Blackcaps' setup, sealing New Zealand's 2-1 ODI series victory over the West Indies earlier this week, and selected for the three match Chappell-Hadlee series at the start of September.
With no contractual obligations to New Zealand at international or domestic level, Neesham is free to ply his trade in various Twenty20 leagues across the globe over the coming summer.
Fellow Kiwi Trent Boult has also declared for the Big Bash League draft, placed in the platinum player marquee category, while compatriots Mitchell McClenaghan, Colin Munro and Todd Astle have also put their names forward.
The inaugural Big Bash League player draft will be held on August 28, with a total of 332 players available for just 24 spots across the eight sides.
