Siddle, Coulter-Nile given Australia contracts

Seven new players were handed Cricket Australia contracts for the 2016-17 season. They were included in the 20-player list released by the board on Friday.

Australia paceman Peter Siddle, who last played for Australia in a Test against New Zealand in February, has gained his contract for the upcoming season.

Pacemen Peter Siddle and Nathan Coulter-Nile were among the players handed Cricket Australia contracts for the 2016-17 season. The duo had initially missed out last year, but were included in the 20-player list released on Friday.

Joining the 31-year-old Siddle and Coulter-Nile were the likes of wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and John Hastings. Usman Khawaja, Joe Burns and Adam Voges, who have all performed well for Australia recently, were named. "The Australian team is set to embark on another busy year of international cricket and we believe the players chosen in this group are those that are right in contention to represent the country over the next 12 months," national selector Rod Marsh said.

'Youth and experience'

"There is a lot of talent within this group and we have confidence that the players chosen can be successful in all three forms of the game, against a range of opposition, in a variety of conditions.

"Following a number of high-profile retirements, we believe this group of players gives us a healthy blend of youth and experience to represent Australia at the highest level, allowing us the best chance of maintaining our number-one rankings in Test and ODI cricket, as well as improving our performances in the T20 format."

Australia contracted player list:  George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Adam Voges, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.