India, April 1 -- Cricket Australia has unveiled its men's central contracts list for the 2026-27 season, and the focus this time remains on Test cricket amid a packed red-ball schedule over the next 12 months. A total of 21 players have been awarded contracts, with newcomers Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett earning their first full time contracts after brilliant runs in the recent Ashes series. 

However, the announcement also saw several big omissions. Fast bowler Jhye Richardson was the biggest name left out despite making a comeback in the Boxing Day Test last season. Other players to miss out include Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Lance Morris, and Sam Konstas, making the squad shift away from white-ball specialists in this ...