James Franklin signs on again with Wellington

Allrounder James Franklin will play another season of domestic cricket for Wellington as he seeks to win back a place in the New Zealand side.

Franklin was one of four players this month dropped from New Zealand Cricket's 20-strong list of contracted players, alongside Daniel Flynn, Ian Butler and Neil Broom.

The 29-year-old has Irish grandparents and had the option of using his ancestry to secure his future as a local player in English county cricket where he is currently playing for Gloucestershire.

But his desire to play again for New Zealand is still strong.

"He's focused on making the New Zealand team to play in the ICC one-day World Cup in India in February and March," Wellington head coach Anthony Stuart said in a statement today.

"James is disappointed about missing out on a New Zealand contract, but he has indicated that he is hugely motivated to play well for Wellington where his experience and ability with both bat and ball would be a huge asset."

Cricket Wellington chief executive Gavin Larsen said he was thrilled to have Franklin back for the 2010-11 season.

"James has a point to prove to the New Zealand selectors and my hope is that he delivers big-time for us on the park and forces his name in to World Cup calculations," Larsen said.

Franklin has been in good form for Gloucestershire in first-class and limited overs competitions.

He has scored 576 runs in 18 innings with a highest score of 99 and has taken 23 wickets with a best return of four for 27 to date in the first-class arena.

Earlier this season he hit his maiden one-day century (133 not out) in the 40-overs a side competition. Opening the batting in the English Twenty20 competition, he has scored 448 runs at an average of 40.72 with a top score of 90, and has also taken eight wickets.

Franklin has played 26 tests, 75 one-day internationals and 13 Twenty20 matches for New Zealand since 2000.

His most recent match for New Zealand was a one-day international against Australia in March this year.

- NZPA