Teenage opener Konstas gets Australia contract with Ashes on horizon / Photo: DAVID GRAY - AFP
-
Moutet fined over x-rated Queen's Club rant
-
Ogura pulls off stunner to top Czech MotoGP practices
-
Outrage in Italy after Trump says Meloni 'begged' for photo op
-
Turkey bars public World Cup screening over university entrance exam
-
From birds to fish, how extreme heat causes wildlife to suffer
-
Ebola spreading 'fast' in DR Congo, warns WHO
-
Trapped on Everest for days, Nepali survivor recounts escape
-
The Sun may not engulf Earth after all, scientists say
-
Clark leads by three as US Open second round begins
-
Russia signals slower rate cuts amid high Ukraine war spending
-
Fritz gets revenge on Shelton to reach Halle semis
-
Henry strikes as New Zealand lead England by 100 runs in 2nd Test
-
Heatwave hits more than half of France's population
-
Online threats, insults fuel S.Africa's anti-foreigner hate
-
Former England keeper Earps agrees to join London City Lionesses
-
Clark completes first round with two-stroke US Open lead
-
Olympic hurdles medallist Bascou suspended for doping
-
Italian FM cancels US visit over reported Trump comments
-
Pegula sinks Keys to reach Berlin Open semis
-
Oil prices, shares steady after US-Iran talks postponed
-
Gaza ceasefire a 'deadly illusion': UNICEF
-
What did we learn from the hantavirus cruise ship scare?
-
S.Africa anti-migrant hate loses team African support at World Cup
-
Arsenal will start Premier League title defence against Coventry
-
European robotics start-ups go up against Chinese heavyweights
-
'Alter-Ego': An Italian hospital's little robot carer
-
Japan's men told to clean at home, not just the World Cup
-
French court confirms Moroccan football star Hakimi will stand trial for rape
-
South Korean leader says told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'
-
Deadly Philippines quake turns seabed into shore
-
Stocks rally falters, oil rises as US-Iran talks postponed
-
S. Korean leader says he told Trump sanctions on North are 'ineffective'
-
Indonesia to capture last-known wild Bornean rhino for IVF
-
No vaccine, conflict, mistrust: Ebola's return to DR Congo
-
USA, Australia eye World Cup knockout rounds, Brazil in action
-
AI museum brings sights, sounds and smells of the rainforest
-
Iran to lodge complaint with FIFA over World Cup restrictions
-
'Old dog' Slipper out of retirement for Wallabies' Nations Championship campaign
-
New Zealand minister defends fishers after two orcas killed in net
-
Mexico into World Cup last 32, Canada celebrate historic win
-
Seoul record leads most Asian markets higher, crude extends losses
-
Co-hosts Mexico first team into World Cup knockout rounds
-
Burnham wins key UK poll, paving way for bid to challenge PM Starmer
-
Erasmus under 'no illusions' as tough Springboks season kicks off
-
'Pico' Lopes -- Cape Verde defender's journey from Ireland to World Cup
-
100 Colombian guerrillas disarm in deal with leftist government
-
'Pretty special': captains eye Super Rugby glory in clash of top seeds
-
Football 'ambassador' and fan favorite: a duck becomes a star in Mexico
-
Ivory Coast's Diomande living World Cup dream, dealing with tragedy
-
Slipper out of retirement for Wallabies' Nations Championship campaign
Teenage opener Konstas gets Australia contract with Ashes on horizon
Explosive young opening batsman Sam Konstas was on Tuesday awarded his first central contract by Cricket Australia for the 2025-26 season, which includes the World Test Championship final and the Ashes against England.
The 19-year-old Konstas made headlines against India in the Melbourne Boxing Day Test when he took on fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah to make a memorable debut 60 off 65 balls, with six fours and two sixes.
Konstas is one of 23 men's players on the Cricket Australia contracted list issued Tuesday.
"In Sam we see promising upside in a young player who will continue to develop at first-class level and in the international environment," said Australia's chair of selectors George Bailey.
Also new to the list is left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who was player of the series in the 2-0 Test win in Sri Lanka earlier this year with 16 wickets.
The 28-year-old was then reported by match officials for a suspect bowling action but subsequently cleared after testing at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane.
"Matt was outstanding once again in Sri Lanka and we believe he can play a key role across the next 18 months," said Bailey.
All-rounder Beau Webster, who scored 57 on his Test debut in the fifth India Test at Sydney and then hit the winning runs in the second innings, was retained after being upgraded to the contracted list during last season.
The 31-year-old can also bowl medium-fast or off-spin.
"In Beau's case he proved more than comfortable at Test level with bat and ball, adds an additional dimension in the field and to the balance of the side," Bailey said.
Australia will play South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June followed by three Tests in the West Indies.
The first of five Ashes Tests is at Perth in November.
Cricket Australia contracted men's players 2025-26: Xavier Bartlett, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Lance Morris, Jhye Richardson, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster, Adam Zampa
A.Ruiz--AT
