Alana King, Josh Inglis named in Cricket Australia's full-time contract list for 2022-23
Having made his international debut in just February 2022, Josh Inglis has earned his full-year contract for the first time. Inglis made an instant impact with the bat in his debut international assignment, scoring 155 runs in five T20I games against Sri Lanka at a strike rate of 143.52.
Last year, Cricket Australia had handed contracts to only 17 players, of which Mitch Marsh, Scott Boland, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Swepson have retained their full-time contracts after their upgrades in 2021-22.
Australia have enjoyed a stellar 2021-22 season, winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup followed by a thumping 4-0 Ashes victory at home. They capped off the year with a 1-0 Test series over Pakistan in their first tour in over 24 years.
Men’s Chair of National Selectors George Bailey praised the role of Marsh, Boland, Head, Khawaja, Stoinis and Swepson in Australia's success.
“The performances by Mitch Marsh, Usman, Travis, Scott, Marcus and Mitch Swepson were pivotal in helping secure those successes and we are pleased they have retained their contracts for the upcoming year after being rewarded with upgrades throughout the past season," said Bailey.
Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson were two prominent names who missed out on the list. Former Australian Test captain Tim Paine, who is on an indefinite break, and paceman James Pattinson, who has retired from international cricket, are too were excluded. Other contracted players or those upgraded from last year who missed out include Marcus Harris, Moises Henriques, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner and Matthew Wade.
“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,” added Bailey.
**Cricket Australia men’s contract list, 2022-23:**Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner and Adam Zampa.
Cricket Australia also announced the list of 15 contracted players for next season for their women's team, who are fresh off a dominating ICC Women's World Cup performance that saw them lift the trophy after going unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Leg-spinner Alana King, who was one of the stars of the campaign, has earned her first contract for the year 2022-23. Spinner Sophie Molineux is the only player who misses out from last year's list after an injury-hit season.
“Alana King came into the side during the Ashes and hasn’t missed a beat, she produced match-winning performances across all three formats and thoroughly deserves her spot on the list," said Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler.
"After the loss of Georgia Wareham to injury, we were in a fortunate position to be able to replace her with another outstanding leg spinner in Alana. It’s a real credit to Alana and the Australian Cricket system to have someone of her calibre waiting in the wings ready to go.”
Left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux has been struggling with injuries and hasn't been able to return to the side. Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham, though, have been retained in the contract despite being out injured currently. They are expected to return in the upcoming summer.
“Sophie Molineux is unfortunate to miss out on a contract, she’s been an important part of the side over the last couple of years," added Flegler. "Unfortunately, she’s missed a large amount of cricket due to various injuries, but we feel she can continue to play an important role with a more consistent run of matches. We’ll continue to work with Sophie and have full confidence in her finding her way back into the squad.”
Cricket Australia women’s contract list, 2022-23: Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Meg Lanning, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck and Georgia Wareham.