Peter Siddle and Shaun Marsh left out of Australia central contracts
Monday 24 April 2017 09:03, UK
Peter Siddle and Shaun Marsh are among the players to miss out as Australia reveal a more youthful list of central contracts.
Siddle has been out of the side since November while Marsh struggled on the recent tour of India.
There is also no central contract for wicket-keeper Peter Nevill, all-rounder James Faulkner, former one-day captain George Bailey and spinner Steve O'Keefe, who was recently fined for a second alcohol-related offence in less than 12 months.
All-rounders Ashton Agar and Hilton Cartwright and young Queensland paceman Billy Stanlake receive a central contract for the first time.
Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and veteran Nathan Lyon are the only two specialist slow bowlers on the list.
Young batsmen Matthew Renshaw and Peter Handscomb are also included after making their Test breakthrough in recent months.
Cricket Australia said 20 deals would be handed out once negotiations with the Australian Cricketers' Association over a new pay agreement had been finalised.
"Hilton has thoroughly earned his spot in the list this year," chief selector Trevor Hohns said.
"He is an exciting prospect for Australian cricket and we look forward to seeing him perform for Australia in the coming 12 months, if given his opportunity."
On 22-year-old Stanlake, he added: "We want to be able to monitor his progress in the coming 12 months, not dissimilar to what we have done with Pat Cummins in the past."
Australia will be in the Champions Trophy in England this summer before the Ashes starts in November Down Under.
Australia central contracts: Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
