Matthew Wade, Joe Burns lose Australia Cricket contracts

Australia wicketkeeper Matthew Wade and opening batsman Joe Burns were included in five players excluded Friday from Australia Cricket’s list of nationally contracted players.

The number of players, which forms the core of Australia’s international squads, was reduced to 17 from 20. However, CA chief selector Trevor Hohns still emphasized that those who missed out would still be considered for representative honours.

Travis Head, former Test vice-captain was also dropped, as well as all-rounders Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis.

West Australian all-rounder Cameron Green was the only newcomer that was considered after playing well in his debut Test series against India.

“We are confident Cameron is a player who will play an important role for Australian cricket after his impressive breakout summer,” Hohns stated, quoting Green’s 84 runs against India in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Wade has strived for form and was excluded from the Test team set to tour South Africa before the series was called off owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Burns lost his position as ‘Test opening batsman’ halfway through the India tour after a series of failures.

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“There is a substantial amount of international cricket scheduled across all formats in the next 12 months and the door to national selection is always opened to players outside this list,” Hohns stated.