Cricket Australia announces 23-player national contract list for 2025-26

A list of 23 men’s cricket players who will be awarded national contracts for 2025–2026 has been released by Cricket Australia (CA). Twenty to twenty-four male players are eligible to be contracted, according to the MOU between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

Men’s players signed by Cricket Australia for 2025–2026:

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

Sam Konstas of New South Wales and Beau Webster (upgrade retained) and Matthew Kuhnemann of Tasmania have joined the contracted list.

Kuhnemann, a left-arm spinner, continued his stellar bowling record on the subcontinent by taking 16 wickets in Sri Lanka and winning Player of the Series. He has taken 25 wickets in five Test matches, including two five-wicket innings.

In January, Webster made his Test debut against India at the SCG, scoring a half-century in the first innings and the game-winning 39 in the second. In addition, he was a solid fielder and a medium pacer who was efficient with the ball.

Webster returned to off-spin in his next two Test matches in Sri Lanka, taking two wickets to help Australia win the series in the end. From domestic cricket, Konstas has developed as a promising opening batsman. He had a well-recorded debut against India in Melbourne, defeating Jasprit Bumrah his route to a spectacular 60. He has never been on a Cricket Australia contract list before.

George Bailey, Men’s Chair of National Selectors: “We think Matt can play a significant role over the next 18 months. He was excellent once again in Sri Lanka.”

Beau’s bat and ball skills at the Test level were more than adequate, and he gives the pitch and the team’s balance a new dimension. There will be welcome and healthy rivalry for spots for the World Test Championship and West Indies trips now that Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh are back.

“As a young player who will continue to grow at the top level and in an international setting, we see promising upside in Sam.”

Players will have the chance to advance to national contracts during the 12-month period by being selected for Test, One-Day, and T20 cricket matches, much like in prior years.