Marsh was not given a central contract for the 2017/18 season
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Australia batsman Shaun Marsh and all-rounder James Faulkner were not among the list the centrally contracted players for the 2017/18 season.
Marsh represented Australia in their four-Test series against India, but he failed to impress as he accumulated 151 runs at an average of 18.87.
As for Faulkner, he played in the ODI series against New Zealand and Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka in February, but was not included in the Champions Trophy squad. This marked the first time that the 26-year-old has not been part of Australia’s squad for an International Cricket Council (ICC) event since 2011.
Marsh and Faulkner were not the only players to miss out as wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, pace bowler Peter Siddle, spinner Steve O’Keefe and batsmen Joe Burns and George Bailey all suffered the same fate.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia awarded central contracts to spinner Ashton Agar, fast bowler Billy Stanlake and all-rounder Hilton Cartwright for the first time.
Opening batsman Matthew Renshaw was also among the players that received a central contract.
“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,” interim chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said. “Consideration has also been given to some players who we believe could potentially play in all three formats for Australia.
“Hilton has thoroughly earned his spot in the list this year. He was the second-highest runs scorer in the Sheffield Shield last season and, when given his opportunity with the Test side last summer, he impressed. 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. We want to be able to monitor his progress in the coming 12 months, not dissimilar to what we have done with Pat Cummins in the past.”
List of centrally contracted players: Ashton Agar, Jackson Bird, Hilton Cartwright, Pat Cummins, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, James Pattinson, Matthew Renshaw, Steven Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Adam Zampa.