Cricket Australia have dropped Marcus Harris from their men’s contract list, leaving the race wide open to become the Test team’s next opener.
Selectors on Thursday confirmed their 23-man contract list for this year, with Matt Short, Aaron Hardie, Nathan Ellis and Xavier Bartlett the big winners.
The news is not so good for Harris, Marcus Stoinis, Michael Neser and Ashton Agar, who each dropped off the list.
Also missing are Cameron Bancroft and Matt Renshaw.
Western Australia’s Cameron Bancroft. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)
Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja are expected to hold their spots at the top of the Test order into next summer’s series against India – but identifying new long-term openers remains the biggest question mark for Australia.
Smith averaged 28.50 in four Tests as opener this summer, having moved up the order to replace the retiring David Warner.
At age 34, the jury is still out on whether the opening role is the right one as Smith approaches the end of his career.
Khawaja averaged 34.38 last summer, and will turn 38 midway through next season’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Selectors most recently indicated Renshaw would be next in line for the role, but his absence from the list means the race remains wide open.
The lack of a contract for Stoinis comes as a blow for the allrounder.
The 34-year-old was left out of Australia’s one-day squad for the recent series against West Indies, but remains part of the Twenty20 set up.
It is a similar story for Agar, who was not picked at all during the summer after being ruled out of last year’s 50-over World Cup triumph with a calf strain.
Selectors have kept faith in Jhye Richardson, awarded a contract despite injuries denying the quick any international cricket since June 2022.
The new contracts for Short, Hardie and Bartlett come after they were upgraded onto deals last year having played several games in national colours.
“Matt, Aaron and Xavier have been extremely impressive in the early stages of their international careers,” chief selector George Bailey said.
“Their performances and the way they have embraced the international stage has been exciting to watch.
“The panel believes they have strong futures and are deserving of their contracts as they work towards striving to become regulars in the Australian set up.”
CRICKET AUSTRALIA MEN’S CONTRACTED PLAYERS FOR 2024-25
Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Doc contain your anger. Rocci isn't in the 23. Bottom line he's 3rd or 4th string spinner. Don't join the delusional ranks of Donny. 99 percent on here know how the 23 works and why rocci isn't in it. Bury the WA waca wacky blinkers on this one . Case concluded here.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Don’t waste as many as you. Put plainly, in this universe Rocchiocoli has no international experience. He cannot therefore replace Lyon or Murphy on international form. And your insult of a ‘ third or fourth string for the Sri Lankan tour’ cannot pass without a rebuttal based on logic. He is the best domestic offspinner in Australia. In fact he is the best domestic spinner in Australia. His figures, in the toughest domestic competition in the world, despite your constant childish naysaying, speak for themselves . If you can’t see that,then change your myopic, narrow-minded Victorian bias to one that appreciates excellence and applaud Rocchiocoli’s season and his certain elevation to the Test squad. You say you’ve got a lot right in your prognostications. Admit your mistake. Be brave.
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Geez you waste some words Doc . You’ve just confirmed my point you can’t compare the two players on international form. Hence Rocchio can’t be selected in front of Lyon or Murphy according to the majority of observers. Your comment just backs up mine whilst trying to wordsmith it clearly shows the state of mind you and the WA biased bubbled boys have on here. Once again thanks for supporting the case that he is not in the 23 for contracts let alone selection mix . Perhaps he can be a squad member for Sri Lanka tour but nearly everyone on here would agree that he’s not ready to get one of 23 contracts let alone be selected for internationals yet. DTM and game changer have set out sound reasons above for Roccio not being included in the 23 as well which you should re read and accept . Here is hoping rocky can have another good shield season and press to be 3rd or 4th string on the sri lanka tour and later in next tours to India and England in a few years time . Otherwise he should continue to hone his skills for key foreign tours and to have a go when Lyon hangs up his boots
CONCERNED
Roar Rookie
Very few Batsmem in that list. Perhaps.they are planning a Test future test side with 3 specialist batsmen a keeper and 7 Bolwers/part time batsmen.
Wikipetia
Roar Rookie
i think from memory though that the calendar was nowhere near as packed (well, i know that), and also not planned as far in advance. so there prob weren't as many potential dates, relating to major test series or multiple formats? in their case of course it was "will i go to the Windies". and "can I set some records". i mean spiritedly always felt their choreographed retirement hobbled us as nobody got the chance to play at home, before heading off for the hardest series around (and then injuries here and there exacerbated that.) clearly they were never going to be dropped... but didn't Benaud ease out in his last year so Simmo could get home experience before the away Ashes?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Your gripe is my gripe,Jeff. Would various Roarers have access to their state cricket association's end of year stats? Premier grade would do. Top sides, etc. Top wicket takers,runscorers, wicketkeeper catches, that sort of thing. Up-and-coming players in other words
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I know that you're not up to speed on Carmelian cosmology,Pierro, because of its emphasis on general relativity, but your argument against Rocchiocoli appears to be puerile . Unless , of course, it is based on special relativity and Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, by which the superposition of an object, in this case,Corey Rocchiocolli, depends entirely on the observer. Are you therefore saying that Rocchiocoli,in your universe has international experience? From my point of view, and indeed from those of the majority of observers, he has no international form with which to compare him to Murphy.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
He was dropped from Victoria for Warren, the left armer. He has done poorly.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
He's young, he's not insignificant. Your state bias is too strong.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Murphy is more Trevor. The performance is not there.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No, I’m making a difference there. I think both are great but Murphy is more ‘Greg’, Rocchi is more ‘Ian’
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
It's seen in Rocchiccioli's delivery.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'd say Rocchis is more aggressive. Murphy has a beauty that's rarely seen. I don't care for which state. I obviously hate Victoria in Australian Football. Cricket not so much state-hate
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
Green is struggling in IPL . Latest dismissal was of concern. Caught on the crease and bowled by M Yadav pace bowler for 9. A bowler very similar to Siraj. Caught in two minds whether to go forward or back, never got behind the ball and off stump taken.
Gamechanger
Roar Rookie
The counties have missed an opportunity not signing Rocchi.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
15 wickets vs 45 wickets. Rocchiccioli's action is also "beautiful". It just wears a black and yellow hat between overs. He's young too.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Murphy is young and developing but, nonetheless, he’s a class act. He has a beautiful approach and nice arc / release. Having said that Rocchi is in much the same boat and a worthy contender
Pierro
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t rule out bancroft , renswhaw or whiteman being selected as openers or first drop in the next 12 to 36 months . Test cricket schedules are slow now and those three are the form horses at the top and could suit different tours and conditions. I am just pretty sure Khawaja and Smith will go of they own accord within 21 months and maybe sooner for khawaja if he doesn’t increase his average from this summer past . I suppose the selectors one direction may be to elevate labsuschgne if he does find consistent form and increase his average this summer. They then could look for a first drop or middle order bat but there could be changes for the sri lanka tour if head and labs don’t get their averages over 30 for the summer series as averages in 20s can not continue
jameswm
Roar Guru
Murphy has a contract due to NSW bias. Oh wait...
Ace
Roar Rookie
That's a late one Matth but never the less...I was talking more about adding youth to the squad ...not past results. Just looking to the future. Like when about 6 of them retire at once we are not exposing anyone ...Bartlett excepted... to pressure cricket But all good mate...just my humble