Marcus Harris and Todd Murphy likely to be added to CA contract list; Lance Morris and Sean Abbott in mix

Despite missing Australia’s tour to India, Marcus Harris is set to be rewarded with a Cricket Australia contract. DANIEL CHERNY has the latest.

Todd Murphy shapes as Nathan Lyon’s long-term replacement. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Marcus Harris remains firmly in the Ashes frame with the Victorian opener expected to be named in an extended Cricket Australia central contract list on Thursday.

Meanwhile the rapid rise of Todd Murphy will continue with the off-spinner set to be included on the annual list for the first time.

CA will unveil an expanded national contract list, with Australia’s No. 1 rankings in both Tests and one-day internationals set to ensure the overwhelming majority of last year’s contracted players keep their national deals.

As first flagged by CODE Sports in February, CA now has provision to award between 20 and 24 male central contracts, up from a 17-20 bracket under the old player pay deal.

Despite having not played a Test since January, 2022, sources indicated on Wednesday that left-hander Harris has retained the faith of national selectors George Bailey, Tony Dodemaide and Andrew McDonald, with his solid record in county cricket working in his favour after he was overlooked for the Test tour of India earlier this year.

Marcus Harris hasn’t played a Test in over a year, but looks like being named in the Cricket Australia contract list on Thursday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Harris, 30, averages just 25 across 14 Tests, given several chances both in David Warner’s absence and then once the veteran returned to the Test side. The pair opened together in the final three Tests of the 2019 Ashes in England after Cameron Bancroft was dropped mid-series.

Harris had been the spare batter for most of the home Test summer before being leapfrogged by Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb. The WA product made 601 runs at 37.56 across the Sheffield Shield season.

Having made his Test debut in February after just seven first-class matches, Murphy took 14 wickets in his debut series against India, including 7-124 on debut in Nagpur.

He has emerged as Australia’s clear second-choice red-ball spinner and long-term heir apparent to the indefatigable Nathan Lyon.

Todd Murphy’s astonishing rise continues. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Warner will retain his contract despite uncertainty over his Test spot after a largely underwhelming few years against the red-ball.

Sources indicated NSW paceman Sean Abbott is also in contention to be called up to the national contract list after appearing in Australia’s recent ODI series against India.

Rising firebrand Lance Morris is also in the frame for a central deal after being called up to the Test squad over the summer, while WA wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will be added to the annual list after being around the fringes of the national side for well over a year.

CA’s male contracted players will share in a pool of more than $20 million, with a minimum retainer of just under $340,000.

Retired white-ball captain Aaron Finch will drop off from last year’s list. Australia will confront India in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in early June before the Ashes begins on June 16.

Originally published as Marcus Harris and Todd Murphy likely to be added to CA contract list; Lance Morris and Sean Abbott in mix