Andrew McGlashanApr 1, 2026, 01:00 AM

CloseDeputy Editor Andrew arrived at ESPNcricinfo via Manchester and Cape Town, after finding the assistant editor at a weak moment as he watched England’s batting collapse in the Newlands Test. Andrew began his cricket writing as a freelance covering Lancashire during 2004 when they were relegated in the County Championship. In fact, they were top of the table when he began reporting on them but things went dramatically downhill. He likes to let people know that he is a supporter of county cricket, a fact his colleagues will testify to and bemoan in equal quantities.

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Jake Weatherald appears set to continue as Australia’s Test opener having been handed a full central contract, but fast bowler Jhye Richardson has surprisingly been cut from the list ahead of a 12-month period where pace stocks will be challenged by an intense schedule.

Michael Neser has been rewarded with a deal for his role in the Ashes series and Brendan Doggett is also included while offspinner Todd Murphy returns to the list ahead of the five-Test tour to India early next year. Murphy, who has played seven Tests, was back with the squad against England after Nathan Lyon’s series was ended by injury but was overlooked in Melbourne and more controversially Sydney.

Australia’s next contract period includes 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.

Weatherald ended this season’s Ashes with 201 runs at 22.33 – during which he played enough to earn a contract upgrade – but the selectors were encouraged by the early signs of his partnership with Travis Head which produced four half-century stands. He finished the season in promising form for Tasmania, although could not convert any scores into a century, and is now heading for a county stint with Leicestershire.

Alongside Richardson, five other players have lost their contracts: Usman Khawaja (retired), Sam Konstas, Lance Morris, Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short.

“The contract list strives to balance reward for performances over time with a lens to the upcoming schedule,” national selector George Bailey said. “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.

“This year, perhaps more than ever, it is essential we continue working closely with and collaborate with states to ensure players are developing and ready for International cricket when they get opportunities.”

The selectors have only handed out 21 of the 24 available contracts (down from 23 last year), and there is a heavy slant towards Test cricket, although players can be upgraded when they play the minimum threshold of games. The smaller list will also allow a redistribution of some of funds to those at the top-end at a time when paying leading players enough to ward off franchise interest is an increasing concern.

The omission of Richardson is particularly interesting after he worked his way back to the Test side and played against England at the MCG following a long rehab from shoulder surgery. However, while CA’s contract list gives some indication to selectors’ thinking there remains every chance that Richardson will feature later in the year.

Richardson’s Western Australia team-mate Morris has lost his contract after being sidelined since last August due to another stress fracture in his back and subsequent surgery. As expected, Konstas’ deal was not renewed after he lost his Test place following the tour of West Indies in the middle of last year. He finished the Shield season by passing 27 in all eight innings but not going beyond 44.

Matt Renshaw, who debuted in ODIs and T20Is during the recent season, and averaged 49.90 in the Shield, has not found a place on the contract list.

Maxwell’s absence was expected as he is now a single-format player and the 12-month period covered by these contracts is a heavy Test focus, plus preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Currently, Australia have just five T20Is scheduled in the next contract cycle.

CA 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 Brendan Doggett, Jake Weatherald, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy
Out Usman Khawaja (retired), Sam Konstas, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short