Published: Apr 01, 2016, 10:27 AM (IST)
Edited: Apr 01, 2016, 10:39 AM (IST)
After Australia‘s unsuccessful campaign in T20 World Cup 2016, they are all set to face new challenges with new set of players on their side. Cricket Australia on Friday announced some changes in the contracted list for 2016-17 with some new face and changes with Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns and Adam Voges in the initial list. The names picked were on the basis of the performance of the players from July 2015. Nathan Coulter-Nile, John Hastings, Peter Nevill and Peter Siddle have also been listed in the contracts, despite having missed initial part of last year. These names were missed in the earlier contract released by CA and now have earned the spot for themselves. READ: Mitchell Starc aims to improve bowling in international cricket
Players not selected in the initial group of those contracted can be upgraded should they earn 12 upgrade points throughout the year, as reported on cricket.com.au. Players receive five points for Test match, two points for One-Day International (ODI) and one point for a T20I. There were empty spots available this time with retirement of Michael Clark, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson last year. National selector Rod Marsh said, “The Australian team is set to embark on another busy year of international cricket and we believe the players chosen in this group are those that are right in contention to represent the country over the next 12 months.” READ: T20 World Cup 2016: Shane Warne criticises Cricket Australia selectors
“There is a lot of talent within this group and we have confidence that the players chosen can be successful in all three forms of the game, against a range of opposition, in a variety of conditions. Following a number of high-profile retirements, we believe this group of players gives us a healthy blend of youth and experience to represent Australia at the highest level, allowing us the best chance of maintaining our number-one rankings in Test and ODI cricket, as well as improving our performances in the T20 format,” added Rod.
The minimum value of a Cricket Australia contract for the 2016-17 season is Aus$270,000 while any player awarded an upgrade contract will earn at least Aus$230,000 ($176,000), CA said.
List of Contracted Players 2016-17: George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Adam Voges, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
