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Australia’s Ashes-winning players have been rewarded with contracts for a bumper 2026-27 cricket season, but there was no room on the 21-man list for Sam Konstas and Glenn Maxwell.

Paceman Brendan Doggett, who made his full international debut against England in November’s opening Ashes Test in Perth, earned his first national contract, while opener Jake Wetherald, who played all five Tests last summer, retained his upgraded contract despite averaging just 22.33 during the series.

Bowler Michael Neser and spinner Todd Murphy were again handed full contracts, ahead of a crammed Test schedule over the next 12 months, which starts with a two-match home series against Bangladesh in August.

That is followed by ODI tours to Zimbabwe and South Africa, where Australia will also play a three-Test series, before a home white-ball series against England and a run of 10 Test matches in 14 weeks, against New Zealand, India and the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG.

Konstas, who burst on to the international scene with a memorable debut against India on Boxing Day in 2024, lost his spot on the roster after failing to capitalise on his promise since that unorthodox knock of 60 at the MCG.

The New South Wales batter managed to add just 103 runs across nine further Test innings for an average of 16.30, and paid the price for his poor form with exclusion from Wednesday’s list.

He was one of five players to lose their contracts, along with Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson and Matt Short, while Usman Khawaja was absent after his retirement.

The chair of men’s national selectors, George Bailey, said the list strove “to balance reward for performances over time with a lens to the upcoming schedule”.

“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,” Bailey said.

“This is reflected in the contract list through a predominance of Test and multi-format players for this cycle. Given the upcoming schedule of series we know we will continue to need and utilise players outside of those contracted.

“This year, perhaps more than ever, it is essential we continue working closely with and collaborate with states to ensure players are developing and ready for International cricket when they get opportunities.”

Australia contracted players: 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.