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

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a list of 23 men’s players to be offered national contracts for 2025-26. The MOU between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association states that between 20 and 24 male players are eligible to be contracted.

Cricket Australia contracted men’s players 2025-26:

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 

New to the contracted list are Tasmania’s Matthew Kuhnemann and Beau Webster (upgrade retained) and New South Wales’ Sam Konstas.

Left-arm spinner Kuhnemann was the Player of the Series with 16 wickets in Sri Lanka, continuing his outstanding bowling record on the subcontinent. In Test cricket, he has played five matches for 25 wickets, including two five-wicket innings.

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Webster made his Test debut against India at the SCG in January with a first innings half century and hitting the winning runs in the second innings with an unbeaten 39. He was also effective with the ball as a medium pacer and as a strong fielder.

In his next two Tests in Sri Lanka Webster reverted to off spin with two wickets which helped secure Australia’s historic series victory in the final match. Promising opening bat Konstas has emerged from domestic cricket and made a well-documented debut against India in Melbourne when he took on Jasprit Bumrah on the way to a memorable 60. This is his first time on a CA contract list. 

Men’s Chair of National Selectors George Bailey: “Matt was outstanding once again in Sri Lanka, and we believe he can play a key role across the next 18 months.

“In Beau’s case, he proved more than comfortable at Test level with bat and ball, adds an additional dimension in the field and to the balance of the side. With Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh returning, there will be welcome and healthy competition for places for the World Test Championship and West Indies tours."

“In Sam, we see promising upside in a young player who will continue to develop at first-class level and in the international environment.”

As in previous years, players will have the opportunity to upgrade to national contracts in the 12-month period via selection in Test, one-day and T20 cricket.