Murphy, Doggett headline Australia men’s contracts for 2026-27

Murphy, Doggett headline Australia men's contracts for 2026-27

With an eye on winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, Australia have added off-spinner Todd Murphy and retained Matthew Kuhnemann in their 21-man central contracts list for 2026-27. The selectors have emphasized spin depth, with Nathan Lyon, now 38, working his way back from hamstring surgery sustained during last year's home Ashes.

Fast bowler Brendan Doggett received his first full contract, while opener Jake Weatherald kept his upgraded deal from last summer. Michael Neser also returns to the list after an impressive home summer.

Those missing out from the previous cycle include Usman Khawaja (retired), Sam Konstas, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, and Matt Short.

Australia men's contracts 2026-27: 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.

The schedule ahead is dense. Australia are set to play 15 Tests across the next year: two at home against Bangladesh, three away in South Africa, four at home against New Zealand, and a five-Test tour of India, along with a one-off 150th-anniversary match at the MCG. A World Test Championship final could follow, before a five-Test away Ashes tour in mid-2027.

"The contract list strives to balance reward for performances over time with a lens to the upcoming schedule," said George Bailey, Chair of men's national selectors. "The next 12 months encompasses a busy Test schedule across a range of conditions and challenges—South Africa, India, and England, as well as the Top End and home Tests across the summer. This is reflected in the contract list through a predominance of Test and multi-format players for this cycle."

Players outside the list can still earn upgrades by featuring regularly in internationals over the next 12 months.