Fast bowler Shane Bond was predictably welcomed back but the name of all-rounder Scott Styris was missing when New Zealand Cricket released its list of 20 contracted players yesterday.
Bond was forced to cut ties with New Zealand Cricket when he signed for the so-called rebel Indian Cricket League early last year.
But the collapse of that twenty/20 league paved the way for the 34-year-old strike bowler's return to international cricket.
Bond last played for New Zealand in a test against South Africa at Johannesburg in November, 2007, but should be back in action as early as August, when the Black Caps tour Sri Lanka.
"Shane Bond is confident he can continue to contribute to the Black Caps.
He has performed well in the shorter form of the game at domestic level, while his international track record is outstanding," head selector Glenn Turner said in a statement.
Styris (33) appears to have paid the price for his retirement from test cricket in February last year. He said at the time he made the decision to prolong his one-day career.
But his omission, and with other players coming through, suggests Styris' days as an international player could be numbered, although Turner was careful to leave the door ajar.
"Some experienced players have missed out as a result of new players forcing their way into the top 20 - and that's a good sign for the game.
"Players who have missed out on contracts have the opportunity to play their way into the Black Caps in the domestic season, or through the A team and emerging players tours, and most can expect to pick up leading contracts with major associations."
Also joining Styris on the discard heap are out-of-sorts batsmen Peter Fulton and Jamie How, and pace bowlers Mark Gillespie and Michael Mason.
Northern Districts batsman James Marshall predictably missed the cut but Otago's Aaron Redmond can count himself unlucky.
Volts team-mates Neil Broom and Ian Butler join fast bowler Brent Arnel, rising star Martin Guptill, one-day specialist Grant Elliott and test opener Tim McIntosh as newly contracted players.
The announcement completes a remarkable comeback for Butler.
Five years ago he limped off the field after playing for New Zealand against Australia in a one-dayer in December 2004.
A scan revealed two bulging discs and severe disc compression.
He faced, at best, a long rehabilitation and at worst would never bowl again.
He sat out a season before attempting to relaunch his career as a specialist batsman and had some success in the provincial A tournament for Northern Districts.
Butler struggled to get opportunities with Northern Districts and transferred to Otago last summer, where he was one of the standout performers.
- Contracted players
The chosen 20
Brent Arnel*, Shane Bond, Neil Broom*, Ian Butler*, Grant Elliott*, James Franklin, Daniel Flynn, Martin Guptill*, Gareth Hopkins, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh*, Chris Martin, Kyle Mills, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Daniel Vettori.
*Denotes new player.
