Cricket Australia (CA) has today announced the list of 20 male players who have been awarded national contracts for 2018-19.
The contracts are based on player performances over the past 12 months and players who the National Selection Panel believe could represent Australian teams in the upcoming year.
Western Australia is the most heavily represented state with six players, while New South Wales have four. Queensland, South Australia and Victoria each have three representatives, while Tasmania has one.
Players
Ashton Agar
Alex Carey
Pat Cummins
Aaron Finch
Peter Handscomb
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Usman Khawaja
Nathan Lyon
Glenn Maxwell
Shaun Marsh
Mitchell Marsh
Tim Paine
Matthew Renshaw
Jhye Richardson
Kane Richardson
Billy Stanlake
Mitchell Starc
Marcus Stoinis
Andrew Tye
Speaking on the list, National Selector Trevor Hohns said:
“When compiling this list, we reviewed what players have produced over the past 12 months, and importantly where they might fit in the upcoming year,” Hohns said.
“It’s a tough process, but we’re very satisfied with this group of 20 players.
“We think this a well-balanced list to represent Australia across all three formats.
“This period is set to include a significant amount of limited-overs cricket, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. For that reason, there has been a bit of a focus in this contracting period on white-ball cricket, as we look ahead to trying to win back-to-back World Cups."
Five players have been awarded CA contracts for the first time, in fast bowlers Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and wicket-keeper Alex Carey.
“This is an exciting opportunity for these players, who all deserve to be on this list,” Hohns said.
“Andrew (Tye) is an experienced bowler, who has been able to translate strong domestic performances onto the international stage in white-ball cricket.
“Alex (Carey) is the second wicket-keeper in this squad, alongside Tim Paine. He is a promising young player who has had a strong domestic summer and performed well in his international opportunities to date with bat and gloves.
“Kane (Richardson) has been rewarded for strong performances in the Sheffield Shield and his efforts when selected for Australia in limited-overs cricket, where he continues to impress.
“Jhye (Richardson) is a young fast bowler who has been on the fringe of selection in all three forms of the game. He’s an exciting prospect who has played ODI and T20 cricket for Australia this summer, and was in the Test squad for the recent tour of South Africa.
“Marcus (Stoinis) is a player who has featured regularly for Australia in limited-overs cricket over the last 12 months, and is a player of promise who has impressed with his all-round capabilities on the international stage.
Shaun Marsh and new Australian Test captain Tim Paine, who both earned upgraded contacts during 2016-17, also return to the list of contracted players.
Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad of 20 can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points. Players receive five points for a Test, two for an ODI and one for a T20I.
Among the players not offered national contracts were fast bowlers Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers, who have played Test cricket in the past six months.
“Jackson and Chadd have missed out on this occasion, but they remain in the frame for Australian honours moving forward and can be upgraded if selected,” Hohns said.
Injured fast bowlers James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile also missed out.
“We would like to see both James and Nathan now put some consistent games together for their states. They are both quality fast bowlers and we have no doubt that if they can play regularly and remain fit in the upcoming season, they will become very positive selection options for us,” Hohns said.
The contracts are based on player performances over the past 12 months and players who the National Selection Panel believe could represent Australian teams in the upcoming year.
Western Australia is the most heavily represented state with six players, while New South Wales have four. Queensland, South Australia and Victoria each have three representatives, while Tasmania has one.
Players
Ashton Agar
Alex Carey
Pat Cummins
Aaron Finch
Peter Handscomb
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Usman Khawaja
Nathan Lyon
Glenn Maxwell
Shaun Marsh
Mitchell Marsh
Tim Paine
Matthew Renshaw
Jhye Richardson
Kane Richardson
Billy Stanlake
Mitchell Starc
Marcus Stoinis
Andrew Tye
Speaking on the list, National Selector Trevor Hohns said:
“When compiling this list, we reviewed what players have produced over the past 12 months, and importantly where they might fit in the upcoming year,” Hohns said.
“It’s a tough process, but we’re very satisfied with this group of 20 players.
“We think this a well-balanced list to represent Australia across all three formats.
“This period is set to include a significant amount of limited-overs cricket, including the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales. For that reason, there has been a bit of a focus in this contracting period on white-ball cricket, as we look ahead to trying to win back-to-back World Cups."
Five players have been awarded CA contracts for the first time, in fast bowlers Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye, all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and wicket-keeper Alex Carey.
“This is an exciting opportunity for these players, who all deserve to be on this list,” Hohns said.
“Andrew (Tye) is an experienced bowler, who has been able to translate strong domestic performances onto the international stage in white-ball cricket.
“Alex (Carey) is the second wicket-keeper in this squad, alongside Tim Paine. He is a promising young player who has had a strong domestic summer and performed well in his international opportunities to date with bat and gloves.
“Kane (Richardson) has been rewarded for strong performances in the Sheffield Shield and his efforts when selected for Australia in limited-overs cricket, where he continues to impress.
“Jhye (Richardson) is a young fast bowler who has been on the fringe of selection in all three forms of the game. He’s an exciting prospect who has played ODI and T20 cricket for Australia this summer, and was in the Test squad for the recent tour of South Africa.
“Marcus (Stoinis) is a player who has featured regularly for Australia in limited-overs cricket over the last 12 months, and is a player of promise who has impressed with his all-round capabilities on the international stage.
Shaun Marsh and new Australian Test captain Tim Paine, who both earned upgraded contacts during 2016-17, also return to the list of contracted players.
Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad of 20 can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points. Players receive five points for a Test, two for an ODI and one for a T20I.
Among the players not offered national contracts were fast bowlers Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers, who have played Test cricket in the past six months.
“Jackson and Chadd have missed out on this occasion, but they remain in the frame for Australian honours moving forward and can be upgraded if selected,” Hohns said.
Injured fast bowlers James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile also missed out.
“We would like to see both James and Nathan now put some consistent games together for their states. They are both quality fast bowlers and we have no doubt that if they can play regularly and remain fit in the upcoming season, they will become very positive selection options for us,” Hohns said.
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