Winners and Losers: Sam Konstas Among Five High-Profile Stars Cut by Cricket Australia Following Tough Contract Decisions

Cricket Australia has unveiled its eagerly awaited contract list for the 2026-27 season, and as is customary, the announcement has revealed both triumphs and disappointments.

After rolling out contracts for 23 players in the previous season, the governing body has reduced this number to just 21.

Usman Khawaja has officially called time on his career, while Sam Konstas, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, and Matt Short have all been dropped from the roster.

Opening batsman Jake Weatherald has secured his first full-time contract, alongside fast bowler Brendan Doggett, while Michael Neser and Todd Murphy return to the list.

With an intensive Test schedule ahead, Australia has tailored its contract list to meet these demands.

“We’re expected to delve deep into our talent pool due to the nature of the schedule, but it’s an exciting period for Australian players,” head coach Andrew McDonald remarked during an interview with SEN.

2026-27 Cricket Australia Contract List: 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.

WINNERS

Pat Cummins and Travis Head

According to The Age, a significant reason behind Cricket Australia’s decision to reduce the number of contracts this year is to ensure that Cummins and Head receive a higher salary.

Cricket Australia recognises the necessity to reward both the leading bowler and dynamic all-rounder to retain them in international competitions, rather than allowing them to pursue lucrative contracts in white-ball formats.

For instance, Australia has scheduled two Test matches against Bangladesh concurrently with the England’s The Hundred competition.

“Some of our players are turning down half a million pounds for just 20 days’ work to participate in those two Test matches against Bangladesh,” Cummins recently said on the Business of Sport podcast.

“I believe it’s a critical issue. Currently, our players are eager to represent Australia and are willing to forego those opportunities, but we cannot expect that to be the case indefinitely.”

Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser

While Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland represent the elite pace attack in Australia, Doggett and Neser emerge as the next options in line.

Doggett surged onto the scene last summer, making his Test debut in the Ashes opener against England in Perth. He featured in two matches, claiming seven wickets and proving himself capable of performing at the highest level.

Neser, at 36, has only donned the baggy green for five Tests, despite consistently impressive performances in the Sheffield Shield.

He has faced stiff competition from the aforementioned fast-bowling group over the years but made a solid return in the SCG Test against England, demonstrating that he’s still a valuable asset for the Australian side.

Todd Murphy and Matt Kuhnemann

Nathan Lyon remains Australia’s leading spin bowler, yet at 38, and after a summer plagued by injuries, he is edging closer to retirement.

With a tour of India approaching, Australia has opted for a spin-heavy squad, bringing both Murphy and Kuhnemann into the fold.

Murphy, who was dropped from the list last year, made a welcome return thanks to some impressive domestic performances.

Kuhnemann last played one of his five Tests in Sri Lanka last February, providing a unique bowling option as he turns the ball away from right-handers.

LOSERS

Sam Konstas

It has been an eventful journey for the promising Sydney youngster following his remarkable Test debut against India at the MCG over a year ago.

He scored 60 runs during that match, facing off against Indian stars Jasprit Bumrah and Virat Kohli, announcing himself as a formidable talent.

However, the teenager was unexpectedly not selected for the following tour to Sri Lanka or the World Test Championship, before being called back into the squad for a West Indies series where he struggled, failing to exceed 25 runs.

Now, having been overlooked for Australia’s Ashes campaign, he finds himself without a contract from Cricket Australia, needing to rebuild his career in state cricket.

Just last week, legendary Aussie cricketer Mark Taylor critiqued the management of Konstas since that debut, stating his belief that he should have been given a contract.

“I would support giving him a contract, absolutely,” Taylor stated on Nine’s Wide World of Sports. “He is just 20 and is experiencing what is commonly referred to as ‘second-year blues’. I don’t think the handling of his situation has been optimal—he should have been taken to Sri Lanka and opened the batting, but instead, he went to the West Indies where the conditions were difficult for anyone, and unfortunately, he’s now out of the side.”

“There’s no doubt he has the potential. At 20 years old, he represents the future of Australian cricket. If he can improve his fielding skills to become a good slipper or fielder as well as a batsman, he could have a long and successful career ahead of him.”

Jhye Richardson

The pacer has unfortunately been cut from the squad and is perhaps the most unfortunate player in Australian cricket.

At 29, he has long been viewed as a potential replacement for stars like Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, and Boland for Test selection.

However, his career has been marred by injuries and despite a comeback at the Test against England at the MCG last December, he now finds himself without a contract.

Richardson’s recent Test was his fourth after initially debuting five years ago.

“Very few players have had so much time or financial investment from Cricket Australia to keep them on the field,” noted journalist Bharat Sundaresan during discussions on SEN.

If Richardson can rectify his fitness issues and rediscover his top form, he still has a chance of returning to Test selection.

Another pace bowler affected was Lance Morris, who made way for Doggett and Neser.

Cooper Connolly

Alongside Konstas, Connolly is regarded as one of the promising talents in Australian cricket but now finds himself without a contract for the upcoming year.

He received this news shortly before scoring 72 off 44 balls in his Indian Premier League debut just last night.

The 22-year-old made his Test debut in Sri Lanka last year while participating in 19 white-ball matches for Australia over the past 18 months.

However, he has struggled to elevate his game to the international level across all formats, averaging only 28 runs at 4.66 from 11 T20 appearances for Australia.

Much like Konstas, he possesses the skill to regain a spot on the contract list and is still anticipated to be a valuable player for Australia in various formats in the future.