Zak Foulkes is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about pace bowlers in world cricket.
At just 23, he holds a New Zealand Cricket central contract, a prized IPL deal with Chennai Super Kings, and an international reputation built on genuine swing and wicket-taking ability.
So, what is Zak Foulkes’ net worth? This article breaks down his salary, contracts, career earnings, and everything else you need to know about his financial profile.
Zak Foulkes’ Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Zakary Glen Foulkes |
| Date of Birth | 5 June 2002 |
| Age (2026) | 23 years |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Position | Right-arm Medium Pace Bowler / All-rounder |
| Current Teams | New Zealand, Canterbury, Chennai Super Kings (IPL) |
| Turned Professional | 2021 (Canterbury debut) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~USD $400,000 |
| NZC Central Contract | NZD $165,000–$318,000 per year |
| IPL 2026 Contract (CSK) | ₹75 lakh (~USD $89,000) |
| Relationship Status | Not publicly known |
Early Life & Career
Zakary Glen Foulkes was born on 5 June 2002 in Christchurch, New Zealand, into a family with deep cricketing roots.
His father, Glen Foulkes, was an allrounder who represented the Riccarton Club in Christchurch and later played for Canterbury Country in the late 1990s.
This environment shaped Zak from an early age, giving him both the technical grounding and the competitive mindset needed to pursue professional cricket.
Growing up alongside his brothers, Liam and Robbie, cricket was very much a household pursuit.
His older brother Liam eventually transitioned off the field and now serves as the national game development manager for Cricket Ireland.
His younger brother Robbie, a top-order batter, represented New Zealand at the 2024 Under-19 World Cup in South Africa, showing the family’s continued influence on the game.
Zak came through Canterbury’s age-group system and made his first-class debut for Canterbury in domestic cricket.
His early domestic performances, particularly his ability to swing the ball both ways, drew attention from New Zealand’s national selectors.
He proved he could handle pace conditions consistently and showed a rare gift for troubling both left- and right-handed batters — a skill that would later catch the eye of IPL franchises.
Professional Career
Zak Foulkes made his international debut in New Zealand colors after consistent performances for Canterbury in domestic cricket.
His international impact was immediate. He played a key role in New Zealand’s dominant 3-0 Test series sweep over England, a series that announced him as a genuine international-quality swing bowler.
National bowling coach Jacob Oram was so impressed that he publicly described Foulkes as “almost Trent Boult-ish,” a massive compliment in New Zealand cricket circles given Boult’s legendary swing-bowling career.
As reported by ESPN, New Zealand batting coach Peter Fulton also highlighted Foulkes’ ability to dismiss world-class batsmen, noting that he had already dismissed Joe Root twice — one of the finest batters of his generation.
Fulton described Foulkes as “definitely not just a one-dimensional player,” pointing to his versatility with the ball and his growing confidence at the crease.
In December 2025, Foulkes was picked up by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026 auction at his base price of ₹75 lakh, confirming his rising stock in franchise cricket.
He also secured his first NZC central contract in 2025, placing him among the top 20 players in New Zealand cricket.
By April 2026, he was confirmed in CSK’s squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season.
Zak Foulkes Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Zak Foulkes has an estimated net worth of USD $400,000 (approximately ₹3.5 crore).
He built this wealth through his NZC central contract, his IPL deal with Chennai Super Kings, domestic earnings with Canterbury, international match fees, and a small number of endorsement arrangements typical for emerging cricketers at his level.
Contract
Foulkes holds a full New Zealand Cricket central contract, which he earned for the first time in the 2025–26 cycle alongside fellow new entrants Aditya Ashok, Mitchell Hay, and Muhammad Abbas.
According to CricketResolved, NZC central contract retainers range between NZD $367,196 and NZD $523,396 (approximately USD $236,000–$336,000). As a new contract holder, Foulkes would sit toward the lower end of this band.
On top of that, in December 2025, Chennai Super Kings secured his services for IPL 2026 at his base price of ₹75 lakh (roughly USD $89,000).
This dual-contract setup — national and franchise — gives him a solid and diversified income base for his age.
Salary
New Zealand Cricket publishes contract tiers but does not release individual salary figures. However, per Sportpreferred, the annual salary for NZC contracted players ranges between NZD $165,000 and NZD $318,000, with top performers earning the higher end.
As a newly contracted player, Foulkes likely earns in the NZD $165,000–$200,000 band from his central contract alone.
On top of this, he earns international match fees: NZD $10,750 per Test match, NZD $4,250 per ODI, and NZD $2,750 per T20 International.
With 4 Tests, 9 ODIs, and 22 T20Is to his name, his cumulative match fees across formats add a significant supplementary income stream.
Career Earnings by Year
| Season | Source | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Canterbury domestic debut | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2022–23 | Canterbury + early NZ call-ups | Not publicly disclosed |
| 2023–24 | Canterbury + international match fees | NZD ~$50,000–$80,000 (est.) |
| 2024–25 | First NZC central contract + match fees | NZD ~$165,000–$200,000 |
| 2025–26 | NZC contract + IPL CSK ₹75 lakh | NZD ~$200,000 + USD $89,000 |
Career Statistics
Batting
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 4 | 4 | 39 | 23 | 19.50 | 40.21 |
| ODI | 9 | 5 | 49 | 22 | 24.50 | 89.09 |
| T20I | 22 | 14 | 100 | 27 | 14.29 | 149.25 |
Bowling
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | Economy Rate | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 6 | 9 | 21.33 | 4.50 | — |
| T20I | 17 | 18 | 18.17 | 8.68 | — |
FAQs
What is Zak Foulkes’ net worth?
Zak Foulkes has an estimated net worth of around USD $400,000. He earned this through his NZC central contract, IPL deal with CSK, and Canterbury domestic cricket earnings.
How much does Zak Foulkes earn from the IPL?
Chennai Super Kings signed him in the IPL 2026 auction for his base price of ₹75 lakh, which is approximately USD $89,000 for the season.
What is Zak Foulkes’ NZC central contract salary?
NZC central contract salaries range from NZD $165,000 to NZD $318,000 per year. As a first-time contract holder, Foulkes likely earns toward the lower end of that range.
Which teams does Zak Foulkes play for?
He plays internationally for New Zealand, domestically for Canterbury in New Zealand, and in franchise cricket for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2026.
Who is Zak Foulkes’ family?
His father, Glen Foulkes, played club cricket in Christchurch. His brother Liam works as a game development manager at Cricket Ireland, and his younger brother Robbie represented New Zealand at the 2024 U19 World Cup.
