Cricket Australia has added six new faces to the list of players centrally contracted for the upcoming season. Marnus Labuschagne and Joe Burns are among the new ones who have been handed contracts. Kane Richardson, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade, and Ashton Agar have also been rewarded for their performances with contracts.
Usman Khawaja, the top-order batsman is axed from a central contract for the first time in five years. Big-names in Nathan Coulter-Nile and Peter Handscomb also face the cut. Shaun Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, and Marcus Harris have also face the same fate as Usman Khawaja.
Australia men’s national selector Trevor Hohns has reasoned the selection and omission of the players. He said, “As Mitch Marsh and Matthew Wade have proven, there are always plenty of opportunities for those who have missed out to be re-selected by performing consistently at the domestic level; and importantly to make the most of any opportunity that comes their way at international level.”
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Australia women’s national selector Shawn Flegler explained the surprise addition of Tahlia McGrath. Tahlia last featured for the Australian national team in 2017. Shawn Flegler says that McGrath’s addition will help provide cover after star players Ellyse Perry and Tayla Vlaeminck suffered from Long term injuries
Flegler said, “(McGrath has) been a consistent performer over the last few seasons with bat and ball. It includes the five matches she played for Australia during the 2017 Ashes series. With Tayla and Ellyse Perry coming back from long-term injuries, Tahlia will add extra depth to our allrounders, especially with her bowling.”
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CA men’s contract list: Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa
CA women’s contract list: Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
