Cricket South Africa Unveils 2026-27 Central Contracts; David Miller Excluded

Johannesburg. Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced its new central contracts for the 2026-27 season. In a list prepared with the upcoming busy schedule in mind, five new players have received national contracts for the first time, while veteran batter David Miller has been surprisingly excluded.

CSA has awarded full-time contracts to 18 men and 15 women players. New faces Ottniel Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, and Karabo Meso have secured national team contracts for the first time. 

Off-spinner Simon Harmer has been placed on a hybrid contract for the men's side. Additionally, the board has placed 20 men's players performing well in domestic cricket on the Players of National Interest (PONI) list, who will be the top priority for future national team selections.

The biggest talking point of this contract cycle is the departure of explosive batter David Miller. Miller, who was on a hybrid contract last season, not being included in any category this time has led to speculation that it may signal his retirement from international cricket. 

Playing for South Africa since 2010, Miller has recently appeared more focused on league cricket worldwide. Along with Miller, another veteran batter, Rassie van der Dussen, has also been left out of the contracts. Similarly, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, and Lizaad Williams, who have been out of action for a long time due to injuries, were also not included this time.

CSA selection committee convener Patrick Moroney stated that since the upcoming season is very busy and important, priority has been given to young players to increase the team's depth. The board believes this strategy, aimed at the 2027 World Cup and the World Test Championship, will make the team competitive in all ICC events. 

The new contracts will be effective from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. During this period, South Africa is scheduled to play a total of 8 Test matches on home soil against Australia, England, and Bangladesh.

In the men's team contract, fast bowlers including captain Temba Bavuma, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, and Kwena Maphaka are secure. However, veteran bowler Anrich Nortje is not on this list. 

Due to persistent injuries, he had decided to opt out of the central contract two years ago and is currently only active in the T20 format.

For the women's team, the T20 World Cup scheduled for this coming June-July has been given top priority. Young wicketkeeper-batter Karabo Meso is the only new face to make the contract list. Although former captain Dane van Niekerk has made a comeback to international cricket, she has not been included in the central contract. 

However, it is understood that she remains on the team's radar for World Cup selection. The South African women's team is preparing to play Test and limited-overs series against India and Australia on home soil next year.