End of Glenn Maxwell's Australia career? All-rounder snubbed from central contract

Veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has been omitted from Cricket Australia’s central contracts list, raising fresh questions over whether the 37-year-old still fits into the team’s long-term plans in international cricket.

Cricket Australia announced a 21-player list with a clear focus on Test regulars.
Maxwell has been left out of Australia’s 2026–27 central contracts list.
Maxwell last played a Test match in 2017 and has not been in red-ball plans.

Australia all-rounder Maxwell has been left out of Cricket Australia’s central contract list for the 2026–27 season, as the board opted for a group largely built around its Test core ahead of a packed red-ball calendar.

Cricket Australia on Wednesday, April 1, announced a 21-player list, with the selections reflecting the team’s priorities over the next 12 months, which include multiple Test series against Bangladesh, New Zealand, India and England.

Maxwell’s omission was among the more notable decisions. The 37-year-old retired from ODI cricket last year and has not featured in Tests since 2017, having gradually moved out of contention in the longer formats. His absence from the contracts list suggests that Australia have continued in that direction.

While he remains available for T20Is, his position there is also not entirely secure. Maxwell did not have a significant impact in Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, where the team failed to progress beyond the group stage, and with the next edition scheduled for 2028, selectors may look at longer-term options.

This perhaps marks the end of a turbulent few years for Glenn Maxwell, who has not only suffered freak injuries away from the field but has also been pulled up by Cricket Australia over issues related to discipline and professionalism.

‘GENERATIONAL’ KONSTAS DROPPED

The contracts list also reflected changes within the Test setup.

Top-order batter Sam Konstas, who had an incredible rise to prominence in the 2024–25 season, missed out after a lean run, with Jake Weatherald retaining his place despite modest returns during the Ashes.

Konstas has been hailed as a generational talent and was widely celebrated during Australia’s home Test series against India in 2024. However, a poor run of form has dented his progress.

Fast bowler Brendan Doggett was handed his first contract after picking up seven wickets in two matches against England.

Michael Neser and Todd Murphy returned to the list, while Jhye Richardson missed out after an injury-hit period. Western Australia quick Lance Morris was also dropped following a back injury, and white-ball all-rounder Matt Short was not retained.

Former opener Usman Khawaja, who has retired, was also not included.

Taken together, the list points to a clearer prioritisation of red-ball cricket, with Australia building depth around a settled Test group.

For Maxwell, the direction has been evident for a while. The latest decision only formalises it within the board’s planning cycle.

Australia's Contracted Players in 2026-27

Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Brendan Doggett, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster and Adam Zampa.