Cricket Australia Announces Central Contracts for 2025-26: Key Players Included

New Additions to Cricket Australia's Contract List

Canberra [Australia], April 1: Explosive opener Sam Konstas and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann have been recognized for their impressive performances and have been included in Cricket Australia's central contract list for the 2025-26 season.

In contrast, young all-rounder Cooper Connolly and top-order batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk have not made the cut, especially with the T20 World Cup approaching in less than a year.

Konstas, Kuhnemann, and all-rounder Beau Webster are the latest additions to Australia's 23-man contract roster, while Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie, and Todd Murphy have been removed from the previous list.

Bailey commented, "Matt (Kuhnemann) excelled once again in Sri Lanka, and we believe he can be pivotal over the next 18 months." He also noted, "Beau has shown he is more than capable at the Test level with both bat and ball, adding depth to our fielding and team balance."

Abbott and Hardie were part of Australia's Champions Trophy squad but did not participate in any matches during the tournament. Murphy played one Test in Sri Lanka as the third spinner, but with Australia not touring the subcontinent in 2025-26, he was likely left off the contract list.

Connolly's exclusion is somewhat surprising, as he was part of Australia's last Test and ODI teams. Despite receiving an upgraded contract last year, he has been omitted from the current list. He played two T20Is for Australia but missed recent fixtures due to a broken finger.

Currently, Konstas is viewed as a player suited for one format and may see more Test opportunities this year. After participating in the last two Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests against India, he lost his spot in Sri Lanka but remains on the contract list.

Bailey remarked, "In Sam, we see significant potential in a young player who will continue to grow at the first-class level and in international cricket."

Nathan McSweeney, who played in the first three Tests against India before being replaced by Konstas, is another notable absence from the contract list.

Fraser-McGurk's omission is also unexpected, given he received an upgraded contract after playing five ODIs and seven T20Is in the 2024-25 season. He was included in the Champions Trophy squad but did not play a match.

He had a chance to participate in the semi-finals after Josh Inglis was injured, but management opted for Connolly instead. T20 specialists Marcus Stoinis and Tim David are also missing from the central contract list.

Cricket Australia's men's contract list for 2025-26 includes: Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa.