Ainsworth and Hamilton Earn First Australia Contracts

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-04-08

Cricket Australia (CA) has awarded national contracts to rising fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth and Lucy Hamilton. Both young stars join the 18-player list for the 2026-27 season. This move shows a major shift as Australia builds its bowling strength for upcoming world tournaments. The national selection panel made three total changes to the contract list. Ainsworth and Hamilton earned their first deals, while veteran all-rounder Nicola Carey returned after a strong year. These additions come as the team prepares for the T20 World Cup in England. Cricket Australia shared the official list on their X account (@CricketAus). ### Lucy Hamilton's Rapid Rise to the National Team Lucy Hamilton, a 19-year-old left-arm fast bowler from Queensland, made her debut for Australia in all three formats: Test, ODI, and T20I. She did this in just 23 days during March 2026. First, she debuted in the third ODI against India in Hobart. Then she got her Baggy Green cap for her Test debut at the WACA Ground in Perth. She took six wickets at an average of 10.50 in that match. After that, she faced the West Indies for her T20I debut. Hamilton called her journey a "rollercoaster." She expected a normal summer playing for Queensland and the Brisbane Heat. Now she'll attend the national training camp in Brisbane this May.  ### Chloe Ainsworth Earns a Spot Without a Senior Debut Chloe Ainsworth, a 20-year-old from Western Australia, is the other new face. Unlike Hamilton, Ainsworth hasn't played a senior match for Australia yet. But her domestic form for Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers made her impossible to ignore. Ainsworth showed great skill as an all-rounder this season. In the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), she scored an unbeaten 104 against Victoria in February. She finished the WNCL season with 194 runs at an average of 97.00. She's also been a consistent force in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). Across three seasons, she has taken 40 wickets with an economy rate of 6.96. She's been named to the WL Team of the Tournament twice.  ### How Players Earn Contract Upgrades Cricket Australia uses a points system to allow players to earn full contracts. If someone isn't on the initial list of 18, they can earn an "upgrade" by playing in international matches. - Test match: 5 points - One Day International (ODI): 2 points - Twenty20 International (T20I): 2 points Once a player gets 12 points total, they automatically receive a national contract for the rest of the period. This system ensures fair selection and rewards. ### Changes to the Australian Women's Contract List The 2026-27 contract list has 18 players. Two new players joined, but three names from last year are missing. Former captain Alyssa Healy dropped off after retiring from international cricket. Victorian bowlers Tayla Vlaeminck and Tess Flintoff didn't get their contracts renewed. Vlaeminck has struggled with a shoulder injury since the 2024 T20 World Cup. Flintoff was a surprise addition last year but didn't make a senior appearance. National selector Shawn Flegler confirmed both players are still in the running for future selection. Nicola Carey returned to the national list after a year away. She adds experience to the squad as Australia gears up for major tournaments. This new contract list shows Australia is investing in young talent. With Hamilton and Ainsworth coming through, the team's bowling future looks bright.