Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Matthew Kuhnemann have been rewarded as Cricket Australia announced its central contract list for 2025-26 on Tuesday. Sam Konstas, Beau Webster and Matthew Kuhnemann are the three changes from the previous year with allrounders Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardie and Todd Murphy being overlooked.
Having made their resounding impacts during Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Sam Konstas and Beau Webster have been rewarded bigly. Meanwhile, Matthew Kuhnemann had impressed during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka, claiming 16 wickets across two Tests. Other players such as Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa have been retained.
“Matt (Kuhnemann) was outstanding once again in Sri Lanka and we believe he can play a key role across the next 18 months,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.
“In Beau’s case he proved more than comfortable at Test level with bat and ball, adds an additional dimension in the field and to the balance of the side.
“With Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh returning there will be welcome and healthy competition for places for the World Test Championship and West Indies tours.
“In Sam we see promising upside in a young player who will continue to develop at first-class level and in the international environment.”
Cricket Australia men’s central contracts -
Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa