While it might be a down period in terms of actual cricket being played, things will get very interesting when the annual Cricket Australia contract list is announced soon.
Each year, between 20 and 24 players earn a spot on the list, with the scope to bump up others if they burst into the Test, ODI or T20 team during the contract year.
With a stacked Test schedule looming from August onwards, the list is this year expected to be skewed towards the red-ball format.
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Pat Cummins. Getty
A couple of clear exits should theoretically open up spots in the roster, while some dips in form and question marks over the future will potentially further space.
Here’s who was in this past year’s contract list and what changes could be made.
Cricket Australia 2025/26 contract list
Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cam Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa
Who will be cut? 
Usman Khawaja during his final Test at the SCG. Getty
Usman Khawaja has retired from international cricket and will certainly be off the central contract list, bringing an end to a stellar career, especially at Test level.
Glenn Maxwell is also set to be cut from the list as he now only plays T20s.
Aside from those two clear-cut names, there are a handful of other players still eligible for a contract from last year’s list that are very unlikely to remain there.
The most obvious is Sam Konstas, who hasn’t played for Australia since the ill-fated West Indies series and hasn’t set the world on fire at domestic level either.
The 20-year-old opener could still be recalled to the Test side at any time, but a full-time central CA contract appears to be out of the question for now.
Sam Konstas walks off after being dismissed in the BBL. Getty
Another player who has fallen out of favour is Matt Short, who didn’t make the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year, but could still play ODIs moving forward.
West Australian quick Lance Morris has battled with injuries across the contract window and hasn’t played for Australia, so it’s possible he is cut from the list as well.
That makes at least four and potentially five spots – depending on whether officials risk it with Morris and his injury history – up for grabs if CA want to have the same amount of players locked into central contracts for the 2026/27 season.
Who will earn a spot?
If there’s going to be five players drop out, there could be five coming in – although CA may lean towards the lower end of the 20-24 player range.
The name that immediately jumps off the page is Michael Neser, who made a fantastic contribution during the Ashes series in the midst of an injury crisis.
Michael Neser. Getty
Neser is approaching his 36th birthday but is as fit as they come and is a proven wicket-taker who can be called upon at a moment’s notice to don the baggy green.
Matt Renshaw has pushed his way back into the Aussie set-up in the shorter formats, playing in the T20 World Cup, while also remaining a viable Test option.
Despite a tricky summer, Test opener Jake Weatherald looms as a contract candidate and remains in the box-seat to play in the August series against Bangladesh.
The next two names are interesting, especially with a Test series in India early next year.
Young gun Cooper Connolly, who clearly has all the talent in the world and the backing of selectors, having played in all three formats over the past 12 months.
Cooper Connolly poses with the baggy green. Getty
While he is yet to set the world on fire in Aussie colours, it’s only a matter of time before Connolly is on the contract list and becoming a regular in the side.
Off-spinner Todd Murphy was part of the Ashes squad but didn’t manage to play a role, even when Nathan Lyon was out injured.
Clearly, though, he remains part of the long-term plans.
Who could play without a contract?
Outside of those already named above, there could still be plenty of uncontracted stars who force their way into selection discussions, particularly at Test level.
From a batting point of view, players such as Nathan McSweeney, Campbell Kellaway and Kurtis Patterson won’t be far away from the Test squad over the next 12 months.
Campbell Kellaway celebrates a century for Victoria. Getty
Bowling-wise, expect to see the likes of Fergus O’Neill, Corey Rocchiccioli and Callum Vidler enter the fray depending on injuries and schedules, while Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett will no doubt stay in the minds of selectors.
White-ball cricket is a lot more open-ended and will likely feature a stack of players – both the experienced like Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie and Tim David and the fresh faces, such as Mahli Beardman, Tanveer Sangha and Joel Davies.
It’s a fluid situation and there’s always going to be moves made – especially in a period that will see the Aussies play up to 20 Tests in the space of a year.