Sam Konstas Axed from Cricket Australia's Contract List for Busy 2026-27 Season
Sam Konstas has paid the price for a significant dip in form since his unorthodox and memorable Boxing Day Test debut for Australia against India in 2024. The young batter has been omitted from Cricket Australia's 21-man contract list for the upcoming bumper 2026-27 cricket season, a roster that notably also excludes veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell.
New Faces and Retained Spots on the National Roster
In contrast, paceman Brendan Doggett has earned his first national contract following his full international debut in the opening Ashes Test against England in Perth last November. Opener Jake Weatherald, who featured in all five Tests during the recent summer, has retained his upgraded contract despite averaging a modest 22.33 throughout the Ashes series.
Bowler Michael Neser and spinner Todd Murphy have once again been awarded full contracts. This comes ahead of an exceptionally packed Test schedule over the next twelve months, commencing with a two-match home series against Bangladesh in August.
A Crammed International Calendar Looms
The schedule following the Bangladesh series includes One Day International tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where Australia will also contest a three-Test series. This is succeeded by a home white-ball series against England and then a demanding run of ten Test matches within just fourteen weeks. These fixtures are against New Zealand, India, and include the historic 150th Anniversary Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Konstas's Promising Start Fades
Sam Konstas, who burst onto the international scene with a fearless 60-run knock on debut at the MCG on Boxing Day 2024, has lost his place on the contract list after failing to build upon that initial promise. Since that standout innings, the batter managed to add only 103 runs across nine further Test innings, resulting in a disappointing average of 16.30.
His exclusion is attributed to this poor international form, compounded by an inability to convert promising starts into substantial scores in domestic Sheffield Shield cricket. However, George Bailey, the chair of men's national selectors, was quick to emphasize that the door remains open for the 20-year-old.
Selectors Maintain Interest in Konstas's Future
"Nothing's really changed in terms of the fact that the man is on a journey," Bailey stated. "Is he highly talented? Yes. Is he on a journey to become a complete and better player? Yes, as all players are. I thought we saw some promising signs towards the back end [of the season], he was consistently getting starts."
Bailey noted that Konstas appeared to be settling after some early-season technical adjustments and remains a player of significant interest to selectors. "He remains a player that we're incredibly interested in," Bailey confirmed, highlighting that Konstas is a strong candidate for the upcoming Australia A tour to India later in the year.
Contract Changes and Weatherald's Position
Konstas was one of five players to lose their national contracts, alongside Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, and Matt Short. Usman Khawaja's name was absent following his retirement from international cricket.
Regarding Jake Weatherald's retention, Bailey clarified that his inclusion signals he is the incumbent opener but does not guarantee his spot for the Bangladesh Test series. "He's the incumbent in that role," Bailey said, praising Weatherald's consistent first-class cricket and his work to address technical aspects targeted by England during the Ashes.
"In terms of locking him away for Bangladesh, I think we've been pretty consistent on the record as saying, 'We don't pick a team until we need to pick a team,'" Bailey added, noting that a pre-series camp in Brisbane will involve a large squad to build depth across all positions.
Full List of Australia's Contracted Players
The 21 players awarded Cricket Australia contracts for the 2026-27 season are: 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, and Adam Zampa.
