Australia’s selectors have shown their hand by offering Marcus Harris a national contract, while overlooking Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb in the 24-man list.
Uncapped quick Lance Morris and finger-spinner Todd Murphy each received their maiden contracts on Thursday, while Michael Neser and Jhye Richardson are also on the list after being left out last year.
The squad contains a balance of red and white-ball players, with Australia to contest an Ashes, World Test Championship final and 50-over World Cup in the next 12 months.
But the biggest shock was Harris’ return, after being omitted last year.
The opener has not played a Test match since January 2022 despite being part of multiple squads, and only represents the country in red-ball cricket.
He had seemingly fallen behind Renshaw in the pecking order, who is firming in his battle with David Warner to open for Australia in England in June.
Renshaw was also called in to bat in the middle order for the SCG Test ahead of Harris, and toured India while Harris was left at home.
However, Thursday’s announcement suggests Harris is now a chance of a recall for the Ashes tour in June and July.
Handscomb can also feel hard done by.
He batted his way back into Australia’s team after averaging 70 in the Sheffield Shield for Victoria, and played all four Tests in India.
Potentially working against him is the fact Australia do not tour the sub-continent again in the next year, where the Victorian is largely considered most effective.
Matthew Kuhnemann is another to miss out given the lack of Test cricket in Asia ahead, while legspinner Mitchell Swepson has also been left off the list.
Tim David is also a notable absentee after the white-ball specialist formed part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, but spends most his time as a gun-for-hire in franchise leagues around the world.
“Two huge challenges in the Test arena, in the World Test Championship and the Ashes are on our doorstep followed soon after by the ICC One-Day World Cup,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“We have chosen a group of players we expect will form the majority of those two campaigns and we know that we will need a squad mentality to achieve success.”
National contracts are worth an average of $951,000 under the sport’s new pay deal, with players left off the list automatically upgraded if they play enough international cricket.
NATIONALLY CONTRACTED MEN’S PLAYERS:
Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
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