Cricket Australia, today, announced the list of centrally contracted players for the 2026-27 season. They have dropped Glenn Maxwell from the previous list, who has had a lean run at the international level in white-ball cricket. He retired from ODIs in June 2025 and is active only in one format. He hasn’t played Tests since 2017 and didn’t have a great time in the T20 World Cup as well, where Australia were knocked out in the group stage.
There are question marks over Maxwell’s T20I career as well now, having faced the axe from the central contract for the upcoming season. Australia’s next contract period includesย Test series against Bangladesh (home), South Africa (away), New Zealand (home), India (away), the 150th anniversary Test against England, a possible World Test Championship final and the start of the 2027 Ashes.
Jake Weatherald has been handed a contract which hints at the player being retained as the Test opener despite his lean run at the Ashes, where he scored 201 runs at an average of 22.33. Michael Neser has also been awarded a contract, thanks to his role in the Ashes, while Todd Murphy is another addition with Australia set to play five Tests in India.ย
Surprisingly, Jhye Richardson has been left out as the next 12 months will test Australia’s pace stocks with an intense schedule to follow.
Contract list strives to balance reward for performances, says Bailey
“The contract list strives to balance reward for performances over time with a lens to the upcoming schedule.ย The next 12 months encompasses a busy Test schedule across a range of conditions and challenges – South Africa, India and England as well as the Top End and home Tests across the summer.
“This is reflected in the contract list through a predominance of Test and multi-format players for this cycle. Given the upcoming schedule of series we know we will continue to need and utilise players outside of those contracted.ย This year, perhaps more than ever, it is essential we continue working closely with and collaborating with states to ensure players are developing and ready for International cricket when they get opportunities,” selector George Bailey said.
Cricket Australia Men’s Central Contracts 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
IN –ย Brendan Doggett, Jake Weatherald, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy
OUT –ย Usman Khawaja (retired), Sam Konstas, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short
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