Todd Murphy, Lance Morris earn their maiden Cricket Australia central contract

Cricket Australia have announced the central contracts list for 2023-24 season

Cricket Australia (CA) have announced the list of 24 players to earn the central contract for 2023-24 season. Spinner Todd Murphy and pacer, Lance Morris have made their debut on the list. The board has named the extended list keeping in mind the Ashes and ODI World Cup later this year. 

Todd Murphy who made his international debut in the recently concluded test series against India was impressive with the ball throughout. In the four matches played, he accounted for 14 wickets. Lance Morris who was a member of the same squad is yet to make his debut on the big stage. 

The announced list includes as many as 6 new names with the upcoming fixtures kept in sight. Australia's backup group of fast bowlers that includes the likes of Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, and Sean Abbott have all been handed contracts. Mitchell Swepson, Peter Handscomb and the recently retired Aaron Finch are the notable absentees from the list.

Cricket Australia contracted men's players 2023-24:

As many as 24 players were included in Cricket Australia’s central contract list, namely - 

Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar.

Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel chairman, George Bailey reacting on the central contracts for 2023-24 said "We have chosen a group of players we expect will form the majority of those (ICC WTC, Ashes & ODI World Cup) campaigns and we know that we will need a squad mentality to achieve success"

Australian cricket is moving ahead a jam-packed schedule post the IPL 2023 season. Starting with the Ashes in June, the Kangaroos will be on board for two ODI series against South Africa and India before the mega event of the ODI Cricket World Cup in India. Keeping in mind the extensive schedule, CA have announced the extended list of 24 players over the usual 20 players.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube and join our community on Telegram.