Australia drops Maxwell Konstas from central contracts list

SYDENY: (Web Desk) – Cricket Australia has announced its 21-player central contracts list for the 2026–27 season, with notable exclusions including Sam Konstas and Glenn Maxwell. The decision reflects a shift toward prioritizing red-ball and multi-format players ahead of a demanding Test schedule.

Australia is set to play 20 Test matches within a year, prompting selectors to favor experience and consistency. Opener Jake Weatherald has been included ahead of the out-of-form Konstas, while white-ball specialists Maxwell and Matt Short have also been left out. Retired opener Usman Khawaja and injured pacer Lance Morris were not considered.

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Another surprising omission was fast bowler Jhye Richardson, who recently returned to Test cricket during the Ashes. Despite being viewed as a potential successor to senior pacers like Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Scott Boland, selectors instead backed Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser following their Ashes contributions.

Chair of selectors George Bailey said the packed calendar influenced the choices, with emphasis placed on players capable of handling varied conditions across formats.

Australia’s season begins in August with a home Test series against Bangladesh, followed by tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa. They will later host England in a white-ball series before a demanding stretch of 10 Tests in 14 weeks, including matches against New Zealand and India. The season will conclude with a historic 150th anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March 2027.