Bats on notice for Ashes
Selectors trim contract list with fringe players challenged to perform
AUSTRALIA has slapped a “positions vacant’’ sign on two Ashes spots by contracting only three specialist Test batsmen for next summer.
The identity of David Warner’s opening partner and Australia’s No 5 batsman remain mysteries to be solved in next summer’s Sheffield Shield after Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne were the specialist Test batsmen named in Cricket Australia’s 17-man contract list. Allrounder Cameron Green, highly rated by the selectors, will anchor the middle order against England in Australia next summer but the snubbing of Travis Head, Tasmanian Matthew Wade and Will Pucovski from the contract list means the rest is up for grabs.
Pucovski will be chosen to open if fit but chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said despite things looking promising after shoulder surgery there was no “real guarantee’’ he would be fit for the start of the season.
In a wide-ranging press conference, Hohns hinted Tim Paine would remain as captain for the Ashes, that he was concerned Australia would play no Tests before the Ashes and that uncontracted leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson had the potential to challenge Nathan Lyon for his spin spot.
Australia had the option to award 20 contracts but chose only 17 with the onus on fringe players to earn deals on the run by playing several games for their country and winning automatic promotion.
“We wanted the contract list to remain very competitive and players to have a huge incentive to gain one,” Hohns said.
“We are saying to a lot of players on the fringe that, sure, it is very nice performing well in domestic cricket . . . when you play for Australia we want good consistent performances.
“If they can do that they will then require and upgrade to a Cricket Australia contract. There has been a lot of talk there is a couple of spots in the batting line-up up for grabs.’’
Despite being dropped from the Test team last season, Head took the Sheffield Shield by storm with 893 runs at 68 but that was not enough to earn him a new deal.
It is believed Pat Cummins was again the top ranked player while run-hungry Labuschagne secured one of the biggest pay rises. Green has won his first full contract after playing all four Tests against India and leading the Shield run-scorers’ list with 922 runs at 76.83.
The contract list: Ashton Agar (WA), Alex Carey (SA), Pat Cummins (NSW), Aaron Finch (Vic), Cameron Green (WA), Josh Hazlewood (NSW), Marnus Labuschagne (Qld), Nathan Lyon (NSW), Glenn Maxwell (Vic), Tim Paine (Tas), James Pattinson (Vic), Jhye Richardson (WA), Kane Richardson (SA), Steve Smith (NSW), Mitchell Starc (NSW), David Warner (NSW), Adam Zampa (NSW).