Cricket Australia have confirmed that Test opener Jake Weatherald is in their long term plans as the left-hander was awarded a maiden national contract on Wednesday.
The full 21-player contract list for a bumper 2026/27 season was unveiled with Weatherald joined by Ashes-winning pace bowlers Michael Neser and Brendan Doggett as well as off spinner Todd Murphy in being elevated to a central contract.
Australia’s contract list has been cut from 23 players to 21 to allow for bigger deals for the likes of Ashes hero Travis Head and skipper Pat Cummins ahead of a jam-packed year of Test cricket.
Australia will play 20 Tests in a 12-month window courtesy of a Top End series against Bangladesh, their first red ball tour of South Africa since Sandpapergate, a home series against New Zealand, the chance to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy in India, the 150th anniversary Test against England at the MCG and then away Ashes tour.
The need to prioritise the longest format has therefore led to white-ball superstar Glenn Maxwell, who retired from ODI cricket last year, making way along with fellow Victorian Matt Short.
Injured fast bowler Lance Morris has also been culled as have retired Test batter Usman Khawaja and the out-of-favour Sam Konstas.
“The contract list strives to balance reward for performances over time with a lens to the upcoming schedule,” chair of men’s national selectors 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 surprise omission was fast bowler Jhye Richardson, which was revealed on Tuesday.
Richardson played his first Test in four years in the Boxing Day Test and was thrust back into the Australian Test set-up after his latest injury lay-off via shoulder surgery.
The 29-year-old has long appeared to be a natural successor to Australia’s veteran fast bowlers, but CA opted to instead reward the impact of Neser and Doggett, who earned a first national contract, during the Ashes triumph.
Another player who can perhaps count himself unlucky is Matt Renshaw.
The Queenslander was a rare shining light for Australia at the T20 World Cup, top scoring with 65 in the loss to Zimbabwe and making 37 against Ireland, despite being dropped for the tournament-ending loss to Sri Lanka.
In addition to making his debuts across both white-ball formats during the summer just gone, Renshaw also scored 499 runs at an average of 49.9 opening the batting in the Sheffield Shield, including three centuries.
The tall left-hander’s good form across formats had many believing he may displace Weatherald in the side for August’s Tests against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay.
The Tasmanian managed 201 runs at 22.33 with a sole half-century during his debut series in the Ashes, but the contract call suggests selectors will keep the faith after Weatherald scored 562 runs at 40.14 at Shield level.
He is also set to try further his claims with a maiden county stint for Leicestershire, replacing Victorian Peter Handscomb, who withdrew for family reasons.
Coach Andrew McDonald dropped another big hint about the make-up of Australia’s next Test XI on Tuesday.
“We’re going to go deep into our stocks just because of the way that schedule is, but it’s exciting. It’s an exciting time to be an Australian player,” he told SEN.
Asked about Cameron Green’s place in the side, McDonald made clear that the all-rounder remains in their plans.
Green scored a Shield ton for Western Australia last month before jetting off to the IPL, but managed only 171 runs at 24.42 in the Ashes.
“I think the answer to that’s yes,” McDonald replied.
“Usman’s (Khawaja) retired and he vacates the No.5 position.
“You’ve got (Beau) Webster and Green that potentially can play in the same team.”
The selectors have also thrown their support behind Murphy.
The off spinner was called into the squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests after Nathan Lyon injured his hamstring in Adelaide, but was not picked in either clash.
The 25-year-old lost his national contract last year, but his reinstatement suggests he will once again partner Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann in India and still remains No.2 in the pecking order in home conditions.
FULL CONTRACT LIST
Xavier Bartlett (QLD)
Scott Boland (VIC)
Alex Carey (SA)
Pat Cummins (NSW)
Brendan Doggett (SA)
Nathan Ellis (TAS)
Cameron Green (WA)
Josh Hazlewood (NSW)
Travis Head (SA)
Josh Inglis (WA)
Matt Kuhnemann (TAS)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD)
Nathan Lyon (NSW)
Mitch Marsh (WA)
Todd Murphy (VIC)
Michael Neser (QLD)
Steve Smith (NSW)
Mitchell Starc (NSW)
Jake Weatherald (TAS)
Beau Webster (TAS)
Adam Zampa (NSW)
Originally published as Five stars axed as Ashes heroes rewarded in Aussie contract shake-up
