Stoinis, fast bowlers added to Australia central contracts list

SYDNEY: All-rounder Marcus Stoinis and fast bowlers Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson and Andrew Tye have been awarded central contracts with Cricket Australia for the first time as the team looks to focus on limited overs cricket over the next 12 months.

Wicket-keeper Alex Carey, who made his international debut in both Twenty-20 and one-day cricket earlier this year, was also given a central contract for the first time.

Former captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and opening batsman Cameron Bancroft were all predictably missing from the 20-man list released on Wednesday following their role in the recent ball-tampering scandal.

Smith and Warner were both banned for 12 months, and Bancroft for nine months for colluding to rough up the ball with sandpaper during the third test against South Africa last month.

All three have said they would accept the bans.

Australia have a heavy limited-overs program over the next 12 months including the World Cup in England next June and July, chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said.

“This period is set to include a significant amount of limited-overs cricket, including the Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales,” Hohns said.

“For that reason, there has been a bit of a focus in this contracting period on white-ball cricket, as we look ahead to win back-to-back World Cups.”

Batsman Shaun Marsh and wicket-keeper Tim Paine, who assumed the captaincy from Smith during the South African series, also return to the central list.

Fast bowlers Jackson Bird and Chadd Sayers, both of whom featured for the test team in the last six months, did not receive a central contract.

“Injured bowlers James Pattinson and Nathan Coulter-Nile both missed out, but all four remain in contention for upgraded domestic contracts if they are called into the national side,” Hohns said.

“Jackson and Chadd have missed out on this occasion, but they remain in the frame for Australian honors moving forward and can be upgraded if selected,

“We would like to see both James and Nathan now put some consistent games together for their states.

“They are both quality fast bowlers and we have no doubt that if they can play regularly and remain fit in the upcoming season, they will become very positive selection options for us.”