Ainsworth, Lucy Hamilton earn maiden Australia central contracts

Chloe Ainsworth and Lucy Hamilton received their maiden central contracts as Cricket Australia announced its 18-member list for the 2026-27 season. CA made three changes from the previous list, also handing a contract to all-rounder Nicola Carey. She had already earned an upgrade during Australia's recent tour of the West Indies. Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff were dropped from the 2025-26 roster, and former captain Alyssa Healy recently left international cricket. Besides the 18 players who were awarded contracts, others can earn upgrades during this period like Carey recently did. "It's exciting to see Lucy Hamilton and Chloe Ainsworth earn their first national contracts, which is a testament to the impact and talent they've showed at domestic level, while Nicola Carey retains her recent upgrade after some strong performances over the last two series," Cricket Australia's Head of Performance (Women's Cricket) and National Selector, Shawn Flegler said. "We'll continue to support their development, and they are both very much still in contention for selection," the statement reads. "While Tayla and Tess aren't on the list this year." Australia will play in a T20 World Cup in England over the next year. After that, they will play white-ball matches at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Additionally, they play an away series in South Africa and Sri Lanka. Contracts list: Chloe Ainsworth, Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham