Cricket Australia announced the settled 2025-26 men's central contract list today (April 1).
23 players have been named in the central contract listfor the upcoming season. Three players who previously held contracts have been left out, and have been replaced by three new entrants.
Australia men's 2025-26 central contract list: 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.
* -> New entrant
Winners
Sam Konstas
The 19-year-old made a successful start to his Test career in the 2024-25 Border Gavaskar Trophyand has been awarded a central contract for the first time. "In Sam we see promising upside in a young player who will continue to develop at first class level and in the international environment," chief selector George Bailey said in a statement.
Matthew Kuhnemann
The left-arm spinner made a Test comeback during the Sri Lanka tour and picked 16 wickets from two Tests, getting awarded with a contract as a result. Having also been reported and cleared of a suspect bowling action, it has been an eventful few months for Kuhnemann.
Beau Webster
The seam-bowling all-rounder replaced Mitchell Marsh in the XI during the Test series against India and in the words of Bailey, "he proved more than comfortable at Test level with bat and ball".
Lance Morris
The 27-year-old Morris played only game for Australia in the previous season, but has been retained in the central contract list given his promise.
Jhye Richardson
Richardson last played for Australia in 2022. Injuries have kept him out of the field, but not out of a central contract.
Xavier Bartlett
Bartlett made his international debut last year and played just six games for Australia during the previous contract cycle. Yet, he finds himself in the central contract list.
Losers
Tim David
David has been a regular in the Australia T20I side but it has not been enough to earn him a central contract.
Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis strangely retired from ODIs right before the Champions Trophy. While he's still active in T20Is, he's not been considered for a contract.
Cooper Connolly
Connolly earned a contract upgrade last season and has debuted for Australia in all formats, but has not been placed in the central contract list for the 2025-26 season.
Spencer Johnson
The left-arm quick has not been awarded a central contract but has the opportunity to earn an upgrade by featuring in the playing XI enough number of times in the upcoming season.
Sean Abbott
Abbott is one of three to have been dropped from the central contract list of last season. He was part of the Champions Trophy squad but never got a game.
Todd Murphy
The off-spinner has also been dropped from the central list, possibly due to the rise of Kuhnemann and Australia's lack of an Asian Test tour in the next cycle, which could mean negligible game time for Murphy.
Aaron Hardie
Hardie, like Abbott, was part of the Champions Trophy but didn't play a game. He had a contract last season, but won't be having one for the next one.
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