Veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and young opening batsman Sam Konstas were axed on Wednesday as Cricket Australia announced a list of 21 nationally contracted players for the 2026-27 season.
Australia,
who will play 20 Tests in a 12-month period from August, have opted for opener Jake Weatherald, 31, instead of the out-of-form 20-year-old Konstas.
With Australia facing such a Test-heavy schedule, white-ball specialists Maxwell and Matt Short were also dropped from last year’s list, along with retired opener Usman Khawaja and injured fast bowler Lance Morris.
A surprise omission was fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who played his first Test in four years in the Boxing Day Ashes clash.
The 29-year-old had been touted as one of the natural successors to Australia’s ageing pace stalwarts Mitchell Starc (36), Josh Hazlewood (35) and Scott Boland (36).
Cricket Australia instead opted to reward fellow Ashes-winning fast bowlers Brendan Doggett, 31, and 36-year-old Michael Neser.
CA’s Explaination On Contract List
“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 start their 2026-27 season with a two-match home series against Bangladesh in August.
They will then travel for three ODIs in Zimbabwe, followed by three ODIs and three Tests in South Africa during September and October.
Australia return home for a white-ball series against England, followed by 10 Tests in 14 weeks, starting with four at home to New Zealand in December and January.
A five-Test tour of India begins on January 21, and the season will end with the 150th anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2027.
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)
