Chloe Ainsworth, an allrounder from Western Australia, and Lucy Hamilton, who has recently debuted in all formats, have been awarded central contracts by Cricket Australia for the 2026-27 season. This 18-player contracts list also includes Nicola Carey, who was recalled after declining a contract in 2023. Ainsworth's standout performance in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) saw her score 194 runs at an impressive average of 97.00, including a maiden century. Meanwhile, Hamilton made a rapid rise in her career, earning her contract after showcasing her skills against India and the West Indies. National selector Shawn Flegler praised their achievements, stating, "It's exciting to see Lucy Hamilton and Chloe Ainsworth earn their first national contracts." Notably, Alyssa Healy, Tayla Vlaeminck, and Tess Flintoff were not retained from last year’s list, while wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson, who debuted in the ODI format, was also excluded. The new contracts cover a busy period for the Australian women's team, including the T20 World Cup in England and tours to Sri Lanka and South Africa.