Veteran opener David Warner, along with all-rounders Ashton Agar and Marcus Stoinis, has been dropped from Cricket Australia’s list of centrally-contracted players for the 2024-25 season. This decision comes as Warner has retired from ODI and Test cricket. Additionally, Victoria opener Marcus Harris and pacer Michael Neser have also missed out on contracts that were offered to 23 players.
Australia is gearing up for a busy season ahead, including the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies in June, as well as a home Test series against India later in the year. Warner’s omission was expected, as he plans to retire after the T20 World Cup and is currently playing in the IPL for Delhi Capitals in India.
Although Stoinis is currently playing with Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and missed Australia’s recent tour of New Zealand due to a back injury, he remains in contention for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Pacers Xavier Bartlett and Nathan Ellis are among the new faces who have been offered contracts for the first time.
Bartlett, Ellis, Victoria and Adelaide Strikers batter Matt Short, and Western Australia all-rounder Aaron Hardie are the four new additions to this year’s central contract list. These players have already made their international debut for Australia. Short, Hardie, and Ellis made their debuts in various T20 series, while Ellis also played in Australia’s ODI and T20I tours, but missed the home white-ball series against the West Indies due to a rib injury.
According to national selection chair George Bailey, these new additions have shown great promise in their early international careers and deserve their contracts as they aim to become regulars in the Australian setup.
For the full list of Cricket Australia contracted men’s players for 2024-25, click here to read the original article.