Cricket Australia has announced its list of 20 men’s players to be offered contracts for this year and Jhye Richardson is not one of them.
Richardson played in the second Ashes Test against England where he picked up 5 for 42 in the fourth innings and has taken 11 wickets in three Tests in his career at an average of 22.09.
He also featured in T20 cricket over the summer but Cricket Australia decided not to renew his contract.
According to cricket.com.au chief selector George Bailey cited the need to manage the 25-year-old’s workload after a string of injuries as the reason.
It wasn’t a happy day if your name is Richardson with fellow fast bowler Kane Richardson also failing to secure a contract.
Other contracted players or those upgraded from last year who missed out include Marcus Harris, Moises Henriques, Ben McDermott, Ashton Turner and Matthew Wade.
An agreement between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketer’s Association states that between 17 and 20 male players are eligible to be contracted at the start of each contracting period.
Josh Inglis is new to the list for 2022-23 while Mitch Marsh, Scott Boland, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Swepson have retained their place on the list having earned a CA contract upgrade in 2021-22.
“It has been a terrific 12 months highlighted by the successes of the T20 World Cup, the Ashes and the Pakistan Test series,” Men’s Chair of National Selectors George Bailey said.
“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.
“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.
“With a tour of Sri Lanka, a home World Cup, home summer and tour of India there is an enormous amount of cricket to be played where the strength of our squads and depth will be challenged.
“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.”
Fast bowler James Pattinson is retired from international cricket while former Test captain Tim Paine remains on an indefinite break from the game.
Players not awarded contracts as part of the initial squad of 20 can earn upgrades throughout the year by accruing 12 upgrade points. Players receive five points for a Test match, two for a One-Day International and one for a T20 International.
Cricket Australia contracted men’s players 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
Adam Zampa