There was no room for Ashes opener Marcus Harris or fast bowler Jhye Richardson on Cricket Australia’s new list of centrally contracted men players for 2022-23, with the pair among nine players omitted after featuring last season.
Josh Inglis is the lone new face on the list – with others who earned their contract via the upgrade system staying put.
Players not awarded initial contracts can earn one by accruing a total of 12 points, earned by playing either Tests (five points), one-day internationals (two points), or T20 internationals (one point).
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Six players – Mitch Marsh, Scott Boland, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Swepson – did so last year and have remained contracted.
“The performances by Mitch Marsh, Usman, Travis, Scott, Marcus and Mitch Swepson were pivotal in helping secure those successes and we are pleased they have retained their contracts for the upcoming year after being rewarded with upgrades throughout the past season,” said chairman of selectors George Bailey.
“We believe this group provide us great coverage and versatility across all formats while others, as we saw in the past year, will continue to get opportunities to play a big part.”
Former captain Tim Paine was another obvious omission, as was James Pattinson, who retired from international cricket. Moises Henriques, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Ashton Turner and Matthew Wade were the others to miss out, alongside Harris and Richardson.
“With a tour of Sri Lanka, a home World Cup, home summer and tour of India there is an enormous amount of cricket to be played where the strength of our squads and depth will be challenged,” Bailey said.
“To contract just 20 players was challenging given the number of key series and the cycle of upcoming T20 and one-day World Cups, all of which will require varying skill sets and combinations.”
Cricket Australia contracted men’s players 2022-23: Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc , Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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