Cricket Australia announces central contracts; shocking exclusions for 2024-25

Cricket Australia (CA) on Tuesday (April 1) announced the central contracts for the 2025-26 season. Young batting sensation Sam Konstas, all-rounder Beau Webster, and spinner Matthew Kuhnemann have been handed the annual contracts for this season by Cricket Australia (CA).

The trio earned the CA central contracts for the 2024-25 season for their impressive performances in the recent Test series against India and Sri Lanka. Sam Konstas made a sensational start to his Test career during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at home, fearlessly taking on India's ace pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

Cricket Australia announces central contracts for 2025-26

He smashed a confident 60 in his debut innings, shifting the momentum in Australia’s favor and leaving a lasting impression. However, he could not score a big since his debut innings, but Cricket Australia (CA) decided to invest in his potential for the future.

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Australian chair of selectors George Bailey stated, “In Sam, we see promising upside in a young player who will continue to develop at first-class level and in the international environment.”

Meanwhile, Beau Webster also made his debut during the BGT series against India, impressing with a fluent fifty in his first game while proving useful with the ball. Known for his all-round abilities, Webster fits perfectly into Australia’s preference for versatile players.

He also made a significant impact on the Sri Lanka tour, where he showcased his off-spin skills by picking up crucial wickets and convinced CA to become a dependable all-rounder in the future. Bailey noted, “In Beau's case, he proved more than comfortable at Test level with bat and ball, adding an additional dimension in the field and to the balance of the side.”

George Bailey backs Matthew Kuhnemann to do justice with their belief

On the other hand, Matthew Kuhnemann was the Player of the Series in Australia’s historic away Test series win in Sri Lanka, where he scalped 16 wickets in just two matches. His consistent performances have made him a valuable partner to veteran spinner Nathan Lyon.

With 35 wickets from five Tests already under his belt, Kuhnemann has firmly established himself as a key spinner in Australia’s squad. The chief selector added, “Matt was outstanding once again in Sri Lanka, and we believe he can play a key role across the next 18 months.”

Mitchell Marsh and Cameron Green, who are still recovering from injuries, have kept their spots in the squad, while the rest of the lineup remains unchanged. Bailey further stated, “With Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh returning, there will be welcome and healthy competition for places for the World Test Championship and West Indies tours.”

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On the other hand, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, and Todd Murphy have been dropped from the annual contracts for 2024-25. Surprisingly, Cooper Connolly is also missing from the central list despite earning a contract upgrade last year.

Jake Fraser-McGurk, Marcus Stoinis, and Tim David fail to earn Cricket Australia Central Contracts

Apart from Connolly, Nathan McSweeney, who earned a Cricket Australia contract upgrade after the India and Sri Lanka Tests as a reserve batter, has also been left out.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia continues to back injury-prone fast bowlers Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson, despite them playing just one ODI between them in the last contract period. Xavier Bartlett was also handed the central contract by the CA.

Jake Fraser-McGurk’s exclusion is notable after he earned an upgrade for playing five ODIs and seven T20Is during the 2024-25 period. On the other hand, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David are also missing from the list.

However, senior players Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Matt Short, and Adam Zampa continue to hold their spots as Australia plans for a smooth transition in the coming years.

Cricket Australia contracted players for 2025-26:

Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Nathan Lyon, Alex Carey, Sam Konstas, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland, Lance Morris, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Travis Head, Matt Short, Josh Inglis, Glenn Maxwell, Marnus Labuschagne, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Beau Webster, Cameron Green, and Xavier Bartlett.