Handscomb and Renshaw among new faces offered Australia central contracts

24 April 2017 10:39

Yorkshire's overseas player Peter Handscomb and Middlesbrough-born batsman Matthew Renshaw have been offered their first full central contracts by Cricket Australia.

CA has proposed deals for 20 players for their 2017-18 campaign, which covers the winter Ashes series Down Under, and the likes of James Faulkner, Shaun Marsh, Peter Siddle, Steve O'Keefe and George Bailey were conspicuous by their absence.

That has helped open spots for Handscomb, currently on a season-long stint at Headingley, and Renshaw, who moved to Australia at the age of 10, to graduate from last term's incremental deals.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, seamer Billy Stanlake and all-rounder Hilton Cartwright also make the cut in a squad that leans heavily on those likely to feature in red and white ball cricket.

The contracts, which have been offered against a backdrop of tense pay talks in Australian cricket, are due to come into effect from July 1.

National selector Trevor Hohns explained: "We have selected 20 players for this year's contract list with a focus on players who we believe could play a part in an exciting 12 months of cricket, which includes the Ashes and an important away Test series against South Africa.

"Consideration has also been given to some players who we believe could potentially play in all three formats for Australia." On some of the newer faces in the list, Hohns added: " Hilton has thoroughly earned his spot in the list this year. 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.

"Ashton is a talented young player who we consider offers a fantastic package with his batting, bowling and fielding, and someone who is capable of playing all forms of the game.

"Billy has picked up the last spot on the contract list for the coming season. We see him as a player of immense talent and a great option for Australia in the future."

Thirteen women have been included in the offer, with Rachael Haynes recalled for the first time in three years and leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington a new face.

Source: PA