Australia Central Contract: Cricket Australia is preparing the list of players to be included in the central contract for the 2026-27 season. The surprising thing is that there are no five big players in this list. One of the players who is going to be dropped from the central contract is the Ashes series winning bowler. The big news is that despite injuries, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood remain in the central contracts. Scott Boland will also remain in the central contract, although the surprising thing is that Jhay Richardson, who returned to international cricket after a long time during the Ashes, may be dropped from the central contract before the South Africa tour.
Decision to drop Jhay Richardson
According to the report of Code Sport, Jhay Richardson is about to be released from the central contract. The surprising thing is that this player is considered to be the next generation star fast bowler of Australia. This player has had shoulder problems, he has undergone surgery three times. But his return to Test cricket and his performance in the Sheffield Shield were giving evidence of improvement in Richardson’s fitness. In such a situation, it is really shocking to exclude this player. Richardson made his debut in the year 2017 but till now he has played only 4 Tests, 15 ODIs and 18 T20 matches in 9 years.
Neser will get reward, these players will be out
The good thing is that Michael Neser is going to be rewarded for his good performance. According to the report, this player will be retained in the central contract. Neser got a chance to play three Ashes Tests and he performed well in the absence of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. This player took 15 wickets in the Ashes series with his tight bowling. He took 4 wicket haul twice and five wicket haul once. Off-spinner Todd Murphy will also remain in the central contract. Apart from him, left arm spinner Matthew Kuhneman will also remain in the central contract.
Connolly, Khawaja will be out
Cooper Connolly is going to get a big shock. After his disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, this player will now be dropped from the central contract. Usman Khawaja, who recently retired, is also going to be out of this list. Cameron Green will definitely remain in the central contract. At present, the place of Jake Weatherald and Matthew Renshaw is not confirmed in the team, hence it has not been decided yet whether they will remain in the central contract or not.