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Cricket Australia (CA) has announced their women’s national contract list for the upcoming 2025-26 season, signaling a strategic shift toward nurturing emerging talent while maintaining a strong core of experienced players. The refreshed 18-player roster reflects the board’s long-term planning ahead of key international assignments, including major tournaments and multi-format series. The latest update also features some surprising exclusions and promising new additions, highlighting a dynamic phase in the evolution of the national setup.
Tess Flintoff earns first full-time national contract
One of the standout developments in the contract announcement is the inclusion of a promising young all-rounder Tess Flintoff, who has been awarded her first full-time national deal. After overcoming injury setbacks in recent seasons, her return to peak fitness and consistent performances in domestic cricket have earned her a place among the country’s top contracted players.
Seen as a valuable addition to the pace-bowling department, Flintoff’s selection reflects the selectors’ confidence in her long-term potential and readiness to contribute at the international level.
Meanwhile, Georgia Voll, who impressed selectors last year and earned a mid-season contract upgrade, continues to be a part of CA’s vision. Her composure and adaptability across formats have already stood out, particularly during Alyssa Healy’s absence.
No place for veteran spinner Jess Jonassen
In a notable omission, experienced all-rounder Jess Jonassen has not been included in CA’s 2025-26 women’s national contract list. A regular member of the Australian setup for over a decade, Jonassen’s exclusion marks a significant shift in the team’s composition as selectors continue to invest in emerging talent.
While she hasn’t received a central deal this season, national selector Shawn Flegler emphasized that the door remains open for her return.
“While Jess Jonassen has not been included on this year’s list, we’re always keeping an eye on players outside of the squad, and she is no exception,” said Flegler as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Also READ: Cricket Australia announces squad for the 2025 Lanning vs Perry series
Familiar names like Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Megan Schutt, and Beth Mooney continue to form the experienced core of the squad, while dynamic all-rounders such as Tahlia McGrath, Ashleigh Gardner, and Annabel Sutherland remain pivotal across formats. The list also includes promising youngsters like Phoebe Litchfield and Darcie Brown, who have quickly become regulars in the national setup, and Tayla Vlaeminck, who retains her contract as she recovers from a shoulder injury sustained during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Australia women’s national contract list for 2025-26: Darcie Brown, Tess Flintoff, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.
Also READ: Ellyse Perry signs with Hampshire for 2025 T20 Blast and One-Day Cup
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
