Fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth and Lucy Hamilton have received their maiden Australia Central Contracts, which include 18 women players.

Australia’s engagement under 2026-27 contracts will be the 2026 T20 World Cup in England, where the team will aim to secure the title after an unexpected semi-final elimination in the previous two ICC tournaments.

Nicola Carey, who declined a deal in 2023, was recalled earlier this year to face India and was also part of the recent tour of the West Indies. Meanwhile, Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff are not retained from last year’s group.

Alyssa Healy, who announced her retirement, has not been included in the Australian central contracts.

Hamilton, who was likely to earn a contract, had impressed in her handful of appearances against India and the West Indies.

A 20-year old Ainsworth is a notable inclusion having not featured in a senior squad. She made 194 runs at 97.00 including a maiden century. On the other hand, she claimed three wickets in seven matches.

In the WBBL for Scorchers, she claimed 13 wickets at 28.76 with an economy rate of 7.33, with her overall tally being 40 wickets from just three seasons.

“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,” said Cricket Australia Head of Performance National Selector Shawn Flegler.

Speaking on the Ainsworth, Shawn Flegler said, “I think it’s really important that she continues to work on her body and get that right and get ready for international cricket.”

“It’s very different playing domestic cricket and playing a couple of games and then having a break for a couple of weeks … and then going again, as opposed to being on tour for six or seven weeks and having to back up and play and train that whole time. So we don’t think she’s quite there yet, but this is an investment in her into the future as well.”

On Lucy Hamilton, Shawn Flegler said, “I think she’s taken to international cricket like a duck to water, to be honest. She looks pretty calm and composed out there and her game’s in pretty good shape for it.”

Australia Central Contracts for 2025-26 Season: 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