Wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis was one of the 20 players to have been awarded the national contract within the two months after his debut.

Wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and opener Marcus Harris along with all-rounder Moises Henriques, batsman Ben McDermott and bowlers Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson were not considered.

Former Test captain Tim Paine and retired paceman James Pattinson were also absent. After a sexting incident, Paine has taken an indefinite hiatus from the game.

The maximum number of players allowed in the group, which makes up the basis of Australia’s international squads, was 20. Those who were unable to participate can still represent Australia.

Inglis was a key addition for 2022-23, while Mitch Marsh, Scott Boland, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis, and Mitchell Swepson all kept their spots after receiving the contract upgrades the previous season.

“We believe this group provide us great coverage and versatility across all formats while others, as we saw in the past year, will continue to get opportunities to play a big part,” said chief selector George Bailey.

“To contract just 20 players was challenging given the number of key series and the cycle of upcoming T20 and one-day World Cups, all of which will require varying skill sets and combinations.”

Players who were not chosen Thursday can still win a full contract by accumulating 12 ‘upgrade points’ throughout the year, with a Test match worth five points, an ODI two points, and a T20 match one point.

Australia contracted players

Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner, Adam Zampa.

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