Gillespie, Kasprowicz, Martyn back

England will defend the Ashes in five Tests in Australia in a six-week period later this year and early in 2007. They beat Australia 2-1 in England last year, Australia’s first loss in the series in 17 years.

Players expected to lead Australia in the 2006 series — captain Ricky Ponting, vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, openers Matthew Hayden and justin Langer and bowlers Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath, were all on the list as expected.

Opening batsman Mark Cosgrove and seamer Brett Dorey were left out of the contracts list despite representing Australia in the recently completed limited-overs series against Bangladesh.

Queensland fast bowler Mitchell Johnson and Phil Jaques and Stuart Clark of New South Wales were handed full contracts for the first time.

“We are very pleased with the balance of the list – there are some very experienced players among the group along with some younger players who have performed very well at domestic level,” selectors chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

“We have some major tournaments and series on the horizon in the Ashes and World Cup, and we have selected this group of players with these campaigns in mind.”

THE CONTRACTED PLAYERS: Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Daniel Cullen, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Brad Haddin, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Phil Jaques, Mitchell Johnson, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Shaun Tait, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.