Veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and young opener Sam Konstas failed to make the cut as Cricket Australia (CA) announced its 21-player national contract list for the 2026-27 season on Wednesday (April 1).
The list prioritises Test and multi-format players as Australia prepare for an intensive schedule of 20 Test matches over the next 12 months, including series against South Africa, India, and England.
The new list features significant transitions, rewarding consistent long-form performers while moving on from white-ball specialists and injured players.
The exclusion of out-of-form Konstas paved the way for Tasmania opener Jake Weatherald to secure his first central contract after a successful Ashes debut series where he scored 201 runs.
Apart from Maxwell, white-ball specialist Matt Short was also dropped from last year’s list, along with retired opener Usman Khawaja and injured fast bowler Lance Morris.
Jhye Richardson was omitted from the central contract list. His snub is considered a significant surprise, as he had recently returned to the Test arena during the 2025-26 Ashes series after a four-year absence.
At 29 years old, Richardson has long been viewed as one of the successors to Australia’s veteran pace trio -- Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
Fellow quicks Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett were rewarded with contracts following their roles in the Ashes victory.
“The next 12 months encompasses a busy Test schedule across a range of conditions and challenges," said chair of men’s selectors George Bailey.
“This is reflected in the contract list through a predominance of Test and multi-format players for this cycle."
Australia will begin their 2026-27 home season in August 2026 by hosting Bangladesh for a two-match Test series.
Cricket Australia Contracted Men’s Players 2026-27: Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa
(With inputs from Agencies)
