Australian cricketers Cooper Connolly and Matt Renshaw have secured contract upgrades with Cricket Australia (CA) worth at least A$150,000 each, ahead of the Test series against South Africa which begins in Durban on Friday night. Neither player was included in the initial 21-man CA contract list for the 2026-27 season announced six months ago, but both have cemented their places in Australia’s limited-overs squads during recent tours.
Renshaw, who replaced Jake Weatherald during Australia's series against Bangladesh in August, is set to open the batting in the upcoming Tests. Connolly, an emerging all-rounder, is expected to feature in the middle order following an abdominal injury to Cameron Green. Both players have participated in all six white-ball matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa prior to the Test series, accruing points under the memorandum of understanding between CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association.
The agreement allows players to be upgraded to national contracts once they reach a 12-point threshold within the financial year, with five points awarded for each Test match and two points for each one-day or Twenty20 international appearance. Connolly reached this mark after playing in the third One-Day International (ODI) in Potchefstroom, making him eligible for a minimum CA contract valued at A$360,645. He will receive the difference between this figure and his Western Australian state contract, which caps at A$209,256. Similarly, Renshaw triggered his contract upgrade earlier during the first ODI against South Africa, having previously gained five points from a Test appearance against the West Indies.
Renshaw was struck on the wrist during the third ODI but has been cleared to play. Connolly contributed with the ball in a two-day tour match against a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI, taking 1-32 from six overs among 11 bowlers used by the Australians. Michael Neser, returning from a calf injury sustained in August, also made an impact, bowling 10 overs for 1-35.
Australia ended the first day of the tour match at 7-318, with the home side's Neil Brand scoring 152 runs. Spinner Matt Kuhnemann described the session positively, noting the benefits of extended bowling and fielding practice alongside teammate Nathan Lyon as players prepare for the upcoming Tests.
Meanwhile, Cameron Green did not participate in the tour match as he continues his recovery with the aim of being available for the series opener. Connolly, who has only played one Test to date batting at No. 8 during a spin-heavy Australian attack in Galle early last year, has yet to score a first-class century. However, he has recorded nine half-centuries at that level and scored a century in an ODI against Bangladesh in June.
To provide additional depth, Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper have been added to the Australian Test squad as cover for Green and finger-injured Josh Inglis, respectively. The ongoing adjustments reflect Australia's strategic efforts to maintain squad strength amid injuries and form considerations ahead of their South African campaign.