The opportunity to play in the BBL this summer has seen Anton Devcich decline a contracted position with Northern Districts for the 2018-19 season.

Devcich who won the NZC and Knights T20 Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season has played in T20 leagues around the world including the Caribbean Premier League and Pakistan Super League.

"My goal is to represent the BLACKCAPS and to do that I need to improve and gain more experience in pressure situations."

"I am also very happy and privileged to continue my cricket career in New Zealand with Northern Districts for another season. Although I will not be contracted I am still extremely dedicated to the association, they have been very supportive of my decision and have always lead the way in all aspects of cricket in NZ"

Northern Districts Cricket High Performance Director Peter Zanzottera says although ND is sad to lose Devcich from the 2018-19 contracts list he can see what a fantastic opportunity it is.

"Whilst a part of us would like to have Anton available for the whole domestic summer, equally we are proud that another of our home grown players is coveted by one of the worlds biggest competitions, and delighted that he wants to continue playing for us wherever possible"

In recent years Devcich has cemented himself as a T20 specialist with bat and ball and has come off an extremely successful Burger King Super Smash campaign, being the top run scorer with 343 runs at a strike rate of 168 and the second highest wicket taker with 15.

He is also the record holder of the most T20 runs for the Knights (1845) and most T20 wickets (55). He has represented Northern Districts since 2004 and has played 84 T20 games for the Association to date.

Devcich will still be available to play for Northern Districts during the season as an uncontracted player. The two remaining contracts will be announced on Saturday 30th June.