Cricket Australia contracts: Khawaja, Shaun Marsh miss out, Marnus Labuschagne wins pay rise

Usman Khawaja is among the big names to miss out on a CA deal, but one player’s ‘meteoric rise’ has been rewarded.

Usman Khawaja has missed out on a Cricket Australia contract. Picture: AAP

Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis and Shaun Marsh are among the big names not included in the male contract list this year.

Victorians Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb were also cut as was Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Cricket Australia named 20 players at noon with brief notes of explanation from selector Trevor Hohns, but there was no explanation for Khawaja’s absence.

The batsman has not played for Australia since injury the English summer where he lost his place in the World Cup side through injury on the eve of the final and the Australian Test side after the loss at Headingley.

Marnus Labuschagne’s good form has been rewarded. Picture: Getty

The big winner this year is Marnus Labuschagne, who did not make last year’s initial contract list but won an upgrade when selected for the Lord’s Test as concussion substitute for Steve Smith.

Labuschagne was the highest scoring batsman in the world last year.

Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Kane Richardson and Matthew Wade were the six added to the list, all had earned contracts during the year after being left off when the 20 players were nominated in 2019.

“Marnus’ rise has been meteoric and well documented, Joe has been a good Test match player, Ashton Agar’s form in T20 internationals has been exceptional, while Kane Richardson has been outstanding in the twenty over and one-day games,” chief selector Trevor Hohns said.

“Matthew Wade’s summer showed he is not only a tough but a good Test player for us. His form extended into white ball cricket late in the summer, earning him well deserved call ups to the one-day and T20 Australian squads.

“After missing the list last year Mitch Marsh’s recent form showed he has a lot of international cricket ahead of him as a batting all-rounder. Mitch proved this with his man of the match performance against New Zealand at the SCG in the last game Australia played and a five-wicket haul in the last Test match he played on the Ashes tour.”

Shaun Marsh. Picture: AFP

Hohns said there was hope still for those overlooked or dumped.

“As Mitch Marsh and Matthew Wade have proven there are always plenty of opportunities for those who have missed out to be reselected by performing consistently at domestic level; and importantly to make the most of any opportunity that comes there way at international level,” Hohns said.

“As is always the case there are unlucky omissions but, however, because you are not on the list does not mean you cannot be selected to represent Australia.”

Players can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points: five points for a Test match, two for a One-Day International and one for a T20 International.

“There is a lot of cricket on the horizon across all three forms of the game including an ICC T20 World Cup, home Test summer against India, One-Day matches and a tour of South Africa. For that reason, it’s important to find a strong balance and a list which covers all forms of the game,” Hohns said.

“With many of the squad crossing into all three formats it gives us the benefit of being able to add in specialists depending on the opposition and the conditions. The depth of this squad and the success of the past 12 months gives us that solid base.”

Tayla Vlaeminck and Elyse Perry. Picture: Michael Klein

Bendigo quick Tayla Vlaeminck and rising star Annabelle Sutherland were new names among the women awarded contracts.

“Tayla Vlaeminck and Annabel Sutherland were upgraded to CA contracts last season and were members of Australia’s triumphant ICC T20 World Cup squad. They have emerged as key figures in the Australian Women’s Team and deserve their place on the contract list,” women’s national selector Shaun Flegler said.

“Tahlia McGrath had a brilliant season with the Adelaide Strikers and South Australia, winning the Andrea McCauley medal. She’s been a consistent performer over the last few seasons with bat and ball, including 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 all-rounders, especially with her bowling. We saw that depth come into play during the recent World Cup and we know that will be important with another World Cup scheduled this summer.

“Given the success of the Australian Women’s team across all formats over the past 12 months, beginning with an Ashes victory in July and culminating in a historic ICC T20 World Cup victory last month, the contract list has remained relatively consistent year on year.”

Trevor Hohns with men’s coach Justin Langer. Picture: Picture: Brett Costello

“The door is not closed on any of the players who did not receive a new CA contract. There will be plenty of opportunities for Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani who both missed out to make their case once cricket resumes. Both are world-class when at their best, so hopefully they can dominate domestic cricket and put their hands up for selection.

“Erin Burns was unlucky to miss out having been upgraded to a full contract this season but is highly rated by the selectors. She’s an adaptable player and is still in the mix for future selection.

“Molly Strano also misses out despite being drafted into Australia’s World Cup squad and playing an important role, but she too is highly rated and will be looked at for future opportunities.”

Cricket Australia 2020-21 contracted men’s players: Ashton Agar, Joe Burns, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Tim Paine, James Pattinson, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

Cricket Australia contracted women’s players: 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.