Cricket Australia Annual Contract List: Khawaja Remarkable Comeback Puts AUS in a Terrible Contract Bind, Here’s Why

Cricket Australia Annual Contract List: For Australia, Usman Khawaja has been irreplaceable. The decision of how much to pay him is a crucial one for the national selectors. Next month Australia cricket annual contract list will be announced. Generally, all format players will receive the most eye-watering contracts.

There is a difference of opinion to suggest Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne should be in the top five this year. This decision is completely based on their prowess at the Test level.

It is an important decision to select them. In a year where both Josh Hazlewood and David Warner might still be game-changers in the Ashes and 50-over World Cup, the selectors would have to move them down the roster.

Last year, the top five highest-paid contracted cricketers in Australia were Pat Cummins, Warner, Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Steve Smith. The five stars’ all-around brilliance makes them nearly impossible to displace from the top tier, but this year’s selectors will have to give it some serious thought.

Selectors must sit down and establish a list of rankings for both red and white ball cricket before an overall ranking can be assigned to the players.

Cricket Australia Annual Contract List: Khawaja Remarkable Comeback Puts AUS in a Terrible Contract Bind, Here’s Why

The first thing to ask is if Khawaja is currently Australia’s top Test batsman.

The 36-year-incredible old’s run of form, which has seen him hit six hundred since his reintroduction to Test cricket 14 months ago, is compelling enough to make one wonder If Khawaja has become Australia’s finest Test batsman, he will join the ranks of the likes of world No. 1 Labuschagne and the great Smith.

For Australia test legend Michael Hayden has identified Khawaja as a potential game-changer on the next Ashes tour. Considering his age, Khawaja may only have 12-24 months remaining in Test cricket.

Yet, based on his past performance and what he can accomplish for Australia in the next Ashes, he deserves to receive his largest contract to date this year.

Because of his reliability since his 2019 breakthrough during the Ashes tour, Labuschagne is also deserving of a promotion. There should be some value placed on holding the position of top Test batsman. Cameron Green, of course.

Cricket Australia Annual Contract List: Khawaja Remarkable Comeback Puts AUS in a Terrible Contract Bind, Here’s Why

A new model for all forms of cricket, after scoring a century in his first Test he will automatically be placed in the $1 million salary range. The highest-paid cricketer in Australia rakes in an estimated $2 million per year, with the next seven earners each pulling in well over $1 million.

Despite dropping from his previous high of No. 6, Nathan Lyon is now widely considered to be the best spin bowler in the world.

Given how much is at stake this year, the selection committee would have to be bold to demote veterans like Hazlewood and Warner.

With his continued greatness as an ODI batsman in a World Cup year, Warner is still very much a part of Australia’s plans this year unless selectors have already decided not to take him to England (which there is no proof of).

He will also play a crucial role in Australia’s aspirations of winning the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies early next year.

Cricket Australia Annual Contract List: Khawaja Remarkable Comeback Puts AUS in a Terrible Contract Bind, Here’s Why

Hazlewood has had trouble staying on the park the last two summers, but he has the potential to be Australia’s most important bowler in English conditions if he is healthy.

Pat Cummins is ranked lower than him in one-day internationals, but he is considered to be Australia’s best T20 fast bowler.

Lower on the rankings list, the choices that need to be made won’t be as difficult, especially if Cricket Australia decides to expand the number of players who are eligible for contracts during this season.

This indicates that free agents who are likely to stir up controversies, such as Spencer Johnson and Lance Morris, will be highly valued and sponsored for the long term.

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Cricket Australia Annual Contract List: Khawaja Remarkable Comeback Puts AUS in a Terrible Contract Bind, Here’s Why