Cricket South Africa has announced  names of players who are in the list of this year's central contract. Five new players feature in this list as CSA increased the number of players from 18 to 21 while keeping a busy schedule in mind. Also, Quinton De Kock and Kagiso Rabada received a two-year deal from their Board.

Chris Morris, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, Stephen Cook and Andile Phehlukwayo are the latest inclusion in this list. Meanwhile, Rabada and De Kock were expected to give a long contract ahead of the Kolpak threat, as CSA doesn't want to lose such talents. Coach Russell Domingo suggested Cricket South Africa  to offer them a five-year contract reducing possibilities of any Kolpak deal by these two.However, the Board offered only two-year contract to every top-tier cricketer.

Earlier this year, Kyle Abbott and Rilee Rossouw left South Africa to play for Hampshire in the county cricket and only these names are missing from last year's central contract list. Dane Villas and David Wiese went to follow this trend as well and signed Kolpak deals.

CSA chief executive Haroon Lorgat said, "We are fortunate to have transitioned successfully and we now boast a strong squad made up of young and experienced world class stars."

"With a busy season ahead of us which also means heavier workloads on players, we decided to increase the number of men's national contracts from 18 to 21. We also needed to recognize that certain players are specialists in certain formats of the game," he added.

On the other hand, the same list for women cricketers saw a new name in the 14-member list of the central contract. Opening bats woman Laura Wolvaardt got a new deal from CSA after helping SA women team to qualify for  the Women World Cup later in this year in England. Also, Sune Luus and Ayabonga Khaka has been promoted to the top tier.

CSA Contracted Players' List: