Cricket Australia has announced its 2026-27 season’s list of 21 nationally contracted players, with young opener Sam Konstas and seasoned all-rounder Glenn Maxwell being left out. In a bid to tackle the upcoming 20-test schedule, Australia has chosen 31-year-old Jake Weatherald over the struggling 20-year-old Konstas.
With a focus on the demanding Test-heavy calendar ahead, white-ball specialists Maxwell and Matt Short, along with retired Usman Khawaja and injured Lance Morris, were also excluded from last year’s roster. Notably, the absence of fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who recently returned to Test cricket after four years, raised eyebrows given expectations of him succeeding the aging pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland.
Instead of Richardson, Cricket Australia opted to reward Ashes-winning bowlers Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser, both aged over 30, for the upcoming challenges. George Bailey, chair of men’s selectors, emphasized the predominance of Test and multi-format players in the contract list for the next 12 months, considering the varying conditions and obstacles faced.
The 2026-27 season kicks off with a home series against Bangladesh in August, followed by ODI encounters in Zimbabwe and South Africa in September and October. Subsequently, Australia will face England in a white-ball series before embarking on a packed schedule of 10 Tests in 14 weeks, starting with New Zealand in December.
A significant highlight is the five-Test series in India starting in January 2027, culminating in the historic 150th anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March.
The contracted men’s players for Cricket Australia’s 2026-27 season include Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, and Adam Zampa.
