Cricket Australia contract list: See who made and missed the cut for a new deal

Cricket Australia has challenged domestic run machines to stand up when given the chance at the highest level after contracting only three specialist batsmen for next summer.

Travis Head may lose his Cricket Australia contract. Picture: Getty Images

Australia has slapped a “positions vacant’’ sign on two Ashes spots by contracting just three specialist Test batsmen for next summer.

The identity of David Warner’s opening partner and Australia’s No.5 batsman remain mysteries to be solved in the early rounds of next summer’s Sheffield Shield after Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were the sole specialist Test batsmen named in Cricket Australia’s 17-man contract list.

All-rounder Cameron Green, highly rated by the selectors, will anchor the middle order against England in Australia next summer but the snubbing of Travis Head, Matthew Wade and Will Pucovski from the contract list means the rest is up for grabs.

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Travis Head missed out on a Cricket Australia contract. Picture: Getty Images

Pucovski will be chosen to open if fit but chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said despite things looking promising after major shoulder surgery, there was no “real guarantee’’ Pucovski would be fit for the start of the season.

During a wide-ranging press conference, Hohns hinted Tim Paine would remain as captain for the Ashes, that he was concerned Australia would play no Tests before the Ashes and that uncontracted leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson had the potential to challenge Nathan Lyon for his spin spot.

Australia had the option to award 20 contracts but chose just 17 with the onus now on fringe players to earn their deals on the run by playing several games for their country and winning automatic promotion to the list.

“When we reduced it to 17 players the spots were pretty limited and that is what we wanted,’’ Hohns said. “We wanted the contract list to remain very competitive and players to have a huge incentive to gain one.

Absolute disgrace that @travishead34 couldn’t find himself a spot on the contract list. https://t.co/F1oBl7S1m9

— Chadd Sayers (@Chaddsayers27) April 23, 2021

“We are saying to a lot of players on the fringe that sure, it is very nice performing well in domestic cricket … when you play for Australia, we want pretty good consistent performances.

“If they can do that they will then require an upgrade to a Cricket Australia contract. There has been a lot of talk there is a couple of spots in the batting line-up up for grabs.’’

Despite being dropped from the Test team against India last season, Head took the Sheffield Shield by storm with 893 runs at 68 at the excellent strike rate of 60 but that was not enough to earn him a new deal.

Head, Joe Burns, Wade, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis did not retain national contracts while Pucovski was overlooked.

Will Pucovski was overlooked for a Cricket Australia contract.

It is believed Pat Cummins was again the top ranked player while run-hungry Marnus Labuschagne secured one of the biggest pay rises.

Green has won promotion to his first full contract after playing all four Tests against India and leading the Sheffield Shield run-scorers’ list with 922 runs at 76.83, including three centuries.

“Cameron is a player we believe will play an important role for Australian cricket after his impressive breakout summer,” Hohns said.

“His 84 in the second innings against India at the SCG demonstrated excellent technique and resolve and we are confident his bowling will be impressive, inspirational at international level. His domestic form was also outstanding, and we expect he will only get better with more international exposure.”

Originally published as Cricket Australia contract list: See who made and missed the cut for a new deal