CSA contracts: Why David Miller has been excluded
What's the story
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has announced its national contracts for the 2026/27 season. The announcement brings in a major surprise - the omission of senior batter David Miller, who had a hybrid contract last year. The new contracts include 18 male and 15 female players, along with one men's hybrid contract awarded to offspinner Simon Harmer. Here are further details.
Retirement speculation
Miller's international retirement speculation
Miller's omission from the CSA contracts has led to speculation about his possible international retirement. The player was part of SA's 2026 T20 World Cup campaign. However, he didn't indicate any plans to retire from international cricket. Miller, who has been playing in franchise leagues around the globe, has over 7,000 runs for South Africa across formats. His credentials in white-ball cricket have bolstered the Proteas.
Fresh faces
National deals for 5 players
The CSA has handed national deals to Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, and Karabo Meso for the first time. The move is part of their strategy to build depth and strengthen their pipeline with Players of National Interest (PONIs). These players have been identified as next in line for selection and are domestically contracted.
Injury impact
Players omitted from the contract list
Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen has also been dropped from the hybrid contract list after last playing for South Africa on a tour of Australia. Fast bowlers Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, and Lizaad Williams have been dropped from the contract list after long injury layoffs. Other players who were omitted include batter Reeza Hendricks and women's all-rounder Eliz-Mari Marx.
Future prospects
Effective from June 1, 2026
The new contracts will be effective from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027. Several international series are lined up for SA in this period. South Africa contract list (men): Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham, Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne. Hybrid contract: Simon Harmer.