Mason suspected NZ spot was gone

It is not like Mike Mason to fire a few barbs, even those with a subtle sharp tip.

But now that one of the country's most consistent line-and-length pacemen has lost his New Zealand contract, he can afford to be candid.

It was hardly polite diplomacy that he had to be told by his father that he wasn't on the national contract list for the first time for four seasons.

"That was pretty disappointing," Mason said from his home at Mangatainoka.

The official phone call didn't reach him until the news had broken.

In saying that, Mason suspected it was coming. He's 34, 35 next month, and missed much of last summer with injuries. A hernia operation hampered him for the first part of the season and then a back injury, finished off by a side-strain in the four-day final.

"I wasn't surprised because I didn't play much cricket last season," he said. "It was more of a disappointment for Jamie [How] than me."

Mason, though, should still be high on the Central Districts Stags' contract list.

However, he was befuddled by what he said were so many random selections, during the past season and among the latest list of contracted players.

They were again "consistently inconsistent", he said.

"Last year was a bit of a lottery. They were all over the place, but that's the way it's been over the last year. I saw it from the sidelines."

He wouldn't name names, but said guys were suddenly getting contracts who hadn't been in previous national sides, from test teams to Twenty20 lineups to A teams.

Losing his New Zealand contract has hurt Mason in the pocket.

"It always does, but you've got to get on with it," he said.

Not that he has totally given up on wearing the black cap again. Playing for New Zealand is always something he wants to do, as long as he can stay fit.

"With New Zealand Cricket contracts, it's easier for them to pick me when I'm in form and up to speed," he said. "I'll give it heaps, 110 per cent and if my body goes well, I'll be very competitive."

He is valuing having a winter's furlough, playing soccer as a central-midfielder for Red Sox-Manawatu Rangers, training in the gym and working.

But he knows at his age, cricket is a year-by-year prospect and it is harder going for the quick bowlers.

"If I'm enjoying it and playing well, I will stick with it."

So taking it easy until the CD Stags snort into action is just fine by him. Mason has played in only one test, against South Africa at Wellington in 2004. He has also played in 25 one-day and three Twenty20 internationals.

He was in the New Zealand 15-man World Cup squad in the Caribbean two years ago and as recently as last year toured England and played for New Zealand A at home.

- © Fairfax NZ News