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Cricket Australia Names 18 Women to 2026/27 Contracts, Elevates Ainsworth and Hamilton

Youth promotion headlines preparations for a World Cup-heavy year.

Overview

  • Cricket Australia, which unveiled the 18-player list on Wednesday, set its women’s core for the 2026/27 season.
  • Uncapped pacer Chloe Ainsworth and 19-year-old allrounder Lucy Hamilton earned first contracts off standout domestic form, with Hamilton also breaking into all three formats this year.
  • Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff were not renewed, and selector Shawn Flegler said both remain supported and in contention for selection.
  • Nicola Carey stays on after an in-series upgrade under a system that lets players outside the 18 earn an upgrade by reaching 12 points, with five for a Test and two for each ODI or T20I.
  • The next 12 months include a T20 World Cup in England in June, home white-ball series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, and tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa.