Emerging speed demons from the nation’s north and west have earned national contracts for the first time as Australia’s champion cricket side looks to the future following the recent retirement of Alyssa Healy.

Fresh from a sizzling Test debut against India at the WACA in March, Bundaberg teenager Lucy Hamilton and Western Australian Chloe Ainsworth have been promoted to the 18-strong group of Cricket Australia stars for the 2026/27 season.

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Experienced all-rounder Nicola Carey, who had earned a temporary contract, was upgraded alongside the dynamos as the Australian selectors believe they have a squad capable of excelling in the short-term while building for the future.

Hamilton, who was presented her Australian cap by Healy in an ODI against India in February, earned rave reviews when a late call-up to play the Test against India when finishing with six wickets.

Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues likened the poise the left-armed pace bowler demonstrated to Australian star Annabel Sutherland.

“She gives me similar vibes of Sutherland, just a younger version,” Rodrigues told ESPN Cricinfo.

“She played her first (WPL) game in front of such a big crowd, which she’s never played before, and was not fazed by anything. She just was very clear on what she had to do and executed. She even contributed with the bat.”

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Lucy Hamilton celebrates the wicket of Indian star Jemimah Rodrigues, who was highly complimentary of the young Australian’s skill, during the recent Test at the WACA.Source: Getty Images

While Hamilton, 19, and Ainsworth, 20, are celebrating their promotions, Victorians Tess Flintoff and Tayla Vlaeminck have lost the security that comes with a national contract after contrasting summer campaigns.

The demotion of Flintoff comes just three days after she earned the Sharon Tredrea Award as Victoria’s best player during the WNCL season, with the 23-year-old also claiming the state’s Players’ Player honour at a function last weekend.

The injury-plagued Vlaeminck, meanwhile, missed the entirety of the WBBL season but said at the Junction Oval prior to the recent Sheffield Shield final that she was close to a return and harboured great hopes for the year ahead.

The 27-year-old has spent almost two years on the sidelines but was named among the 26 players set to contest a Green and Gold clash for established and emerging domestic stars beginning in Bankstown today.

Considered one of the world’s fastest bowlers, the Victorian has played 29 matches for Australia across all formats and said the time spent on the sidelines had only sharpened her appetite to succeed.

“When you’re coming back from a long-term rehab, the rest of the body has to get used to training as well, so there’s been a few little hiccups here and there, which is pretty common and has been the whole way through my career,” she said.

“I’m feeling really good now, and just loving being back out there in the nets and getting out of the gym, which has been really good. I haven’t played cricket in almost 16 months now, so just to get back out there, it’s just really exciting.

“I’ve been watching cricket for a long time now, and the more you watch it, and the closer you get to playing, the more you realise how much you miss it.”

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Cricket Australia head of performance Shawn Flegler, who is also a national selector, said the pair remained in contention for national selection but believes the contracted list is well-placed to deliver over the next summer.

“It is exciting to see Lucy Hamilton and Chloe Ainsworth earn their first national contracts, which is a testament to the impact and talent they’ve shown at domestic level, while Nicola Carey retains her recent upgrade after some strong performances over the last two series,” he said.

“While Tayla and Tess aren’t on the list, we’ll continue to support their development and they are both very much still in contention for selection.

“With a major ICC event and several key series coming up, we’re confident this group has the skill and depth to perform, while also creating opportunities for others to push into the squad across the year.”

In order to earn an contract upgrade, players outside the national list including Vlaeminck and Flintoff need to accrue 12 points in a year, with five points awarded for a Test, and two for each ODI and T20 they play.

Australia’s champion Test team is not scheduled to play a red ball match next summer given New Zealand’s preference for white ball formats.

The side’s next major goal is trying to reclaim the T20 World Cup in England during June. Then come white-ball matches at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand, followed by away series against Sri Lanka and South Africa.

Chloe Ainsworth is now a centrally-contracted Australian cricketer.Source: Getty Images

CRICKET AUSTRALIA CONTRACTED PLAYERS 2026-27

Chloe Ainsworth (WA/Melville CC)

Darcie Brown (SA/Northern Districts Cricket Club)

Nicola Carey (TAS/North Hobart CC)

Ashleigh Gardner (NSW/Bankstown Cricket Club)

Kim Garth (VIC/Dandenong Cricket Club)

Heather Graham (WA/Subiaco Floreat CC)

Lucy Hamilton (QLD/Sunshine Coast CC)

Grace Harris (QLD/Western Suburbs Cricket Club)

Alana King (WA/Midland Guildford Cricket Club)

Phoebe Litchfield (NSW/Sydney University Cricket Club)

Tahlia McGrath (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)

Sophie Molineux (VIC/Dandenong Cricket Club)

Beth Mooney (WA/Sandgate-Redcliffe Cricket Club)

Ellyse Perry (NSW)

Megan Schutt (SA/Sturt Cricket Club)

Annabel Sutherland (VIC/Prahran Cricket Club)

Georgia Voll (QLD/Sandgate-Redcliffe District Cricket Club)

Georgia Wareham (VIC/Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club)

NOTES:Fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth and Lucy Hamilton have earned their first national contracts, while Nicola Carey remains on the list after earning an upgrade during Australia’s recent tour of the West Indies.

Alyssa Healy (retired), Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff were not renewed from last season’s list.