Six new faces in CA's list of 'contracted players'

Cricket Australia (CA) has released the list of contracted players for the 2013-14 season, including two Ashes series, and has awarded 20 contracts, with six new faces from the last season.

According to News.com.au, the six players are George Bailey, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Phillip Hughes, Glenn Maxwell and Clint McKay whereas Jackson Bird, Usman Khawaja and comeback kid Steve Smith have been left out off the contract list. Retired greats Michael Hussey and Ricky Ponting are also off the list while David Hussey’s contract has not been renewed.

According to the report, domestic Queensland fast bowler Ryan Harris, who has been plagued by injury and has played little cricket for the last 18 months, has been awarded a contract along with wicket-keepers Matthew Wade and Brad Haddin.

Stating that CA has rewarded the selected players for the past 12 months as well as keeping an eye on the future, national selector John Inverarity said that the 17 players initially contracted for the 2012-13 season had played a significant role in selections across the various formats during the season, adding that those upgraded to the contract list during the season all proved their worth.

Inverarity further said that Bird, Henriques, Khawaja and Smith were all close to making this contract list, adding that the selectors expected them to take opportunities that are presented across formats to represent Australia and make a case for an upgrade to a CA contract, as the year unfolds.