Kamal Ghorui
Star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell suffered a major setback as he was axed from Cricket Australia’s nationally contracted players for the 2026-27 season. Australia are scheduled to play 20 Tests in a 12-month period from August. With a Test-heavy schedule lined up for Australia, Cricket Australia went for Test specialists in their squad.Apart from Maxwell, young opening batter Sam Konstas didn’t find his place in the 21 nationally contracted players by Cricket Australia. Cricket Australia have handed contract to opener 31-year-old Jake Weatherald in place of Konstas.Matt Short was also dropped from last year’s list.Among the surprise omissions, fast bowler Jhye Richardson also failed to find a place in the contract list.“The next 12 months encompasses a busy Test schedule across a range of conditions and challenges,” said chair of men’s selectors George Bailey.
“This is reflected in the contract list through a predominance of Test and multi-format players for this cycle.”Australia will kick off their 2026-27 season with a two-match home series against Bangladesh national cricket team in August. They will travel for three ODIs in Zimbabwe, plus three ODIs and three Tests in South Africa during September and October.Australia return home for a white-ball series against England cricket team followed by 10 Tests in 14 weeks, starting with four at home to New Zealand cricket team in December and January.A five-Test tour of India begins on January 21 and the season will end with the 150th anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March, 2027.Cricket Australia contracted men’s players 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
