Cricket Australia announced its 21-player central contract list for the 2026-27 season on April 1, and two big names are missing. Glenn Maxwell, Australia’s most explosive white-ball player for over a decade, has been axed.
So has young opener Sam Konstas, who was tipped as the future of Australian batting just a year ago. New additions include Ashes debutants Brendan Doggett and Jake Weatherald, while Todd Murphy and Michael Neser returned to the list.
Why Was Glenn Maxwell Dropped?
At 37, Maxwell finds himself on the wrong side of Australia’s strategic shift towards Test cricket. He retired from ODIs in June 2025 and hasn’t played a Test since 2017. That leaves T20Is as his only active format.
However, Australia play very little white-ball cricket over the next 12 months. With 15 Tests scheduled, including series against Bangladesh, South Africa, New Zealand, and India, selectors prioritised red-ball specialists. Maxwell’s lean run at the T20 World Cup 2026, where Australia crashed out in the group stage, didn’t help his case either.
Still, this doesn’t mean retirement. Non-contracted players can still earn call-ups through strong domestic performances. But for now, the message from CA is clear: Maxwell isn’t in their immediate plans.
Why Did Sam Konstas Lose His Contract?
This one hurts differently. Konstas, just 20, was handed a debut during the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and looked destined for a long career. Instead, poor form cost him his Test spot.
Jake Weatherald, 31, replaced him as opener during the 2025-26 Ashes and has now been backed with a full contract. Weatherald scored 201 runs in the Ashes series, and selectors clearly see him as the long-term option. He’s also signed with Leicestershire for County Championship cricket, further strengthening his red-ball credentials.
For Konstas, the path back runs through domestic runs. He’s young enough to rebuild, but this is a reality check.
Who Else Missed Out?
Besides Maxwell and Konstas, several other names were dropped:
- Matt Short: White-ball specialist with limited Test prospects
- Jhye Richardson: Played his first Test in four years during the Boxing Day Ashes match but missed the cut
- Lance Morris: Injury concerns likely played a role
- Usman Khawaja: Officially retired from international cricket
- Matthew Renshaw: Featured across formats earlier this season but still missed out
Full Australia Central Contract List for 2026-27
Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa.
What’s Australia’s Schedule For 2026-27?
The contract list reflects a brutal upcoming calendar. Here’s what’s ahead:
- August 2026: Two-Test home series vs Bangladesh
- Late 2026: Away Test tour to South Africa
- Home summer: Tests vs New Zealand
- Jan-Feb 2027: Five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India
- 2027: 150th anniversary Test at the MCG vs England
- Mid-2027: Possible WTC final at Lord’s and the start of the 2027 Ashes in England
Selection chair George Bailey acknowledged the Test-heavy focus, saying the list reflects the “busy Test schedule across a range of conditions and challenges.” He also confirmed that non-contracted players will still get opportunities throughout the year.
With average contract earnings now exceeding AUD 1 million annually, the financial stakes are significant. For Maxwell and Konstas, the motivation to fight back just got a lot bigger.
