Cricket Wellington has announced its first thirteen contracted players for the 2012-13 season.

These players are:

Harry Boam
Josh Brodie
Grant Elliott
Mark Gillespie
Scott Kuggeleijn
Andy McKay
Stephen Murdoch
Michael Papps
Jeetan Patel
Michael Pollard
Luke Ronchi
Jesse Ryder
Luke Woodcock

Cricket Wellington Director of Cricket Robbie Kerr is pleased with the Firebirds squad: “We are delighted to have named a very strong squad with all of our players from last year returning and we are optimistic heading into the 2012/13 domestic season."

Kerr said the squad is well balanced.  “Jesse Ryder and Luke Ronchi will add a lot of firepower with the bat, while Mark Gillespie will give us two fast bowling spearheads, and we will back our spin bowlers as being the best in the competition.”

The contracting process for domestic players throughout the six Major Associations involves two rounds. Each Major Association can offer 9-13 contracts at their discretion in the first round and then complete the process to their full contingent of 14 players with second round contracts being offered on 9 August 2012.

The contracts commence on 1 October 2012.