Bichel gets in after two years on the fringes

Sparkling one-day form that brought 440 runs at a strike rate of 79.71, and his 2055 first-class runs for Northamptonshire last year, appear to have handed him another shot.

Unlike England's central contracts, the deals cover both Test and one-day players.

Another face familiar to English county fans, and a man who has only now been awarded a contract after two years of impressing with every chance he gets, is pace bowler Andy Bichel.

A five-wicket haul against West Indies in Melbourne in 2000-01 was not enough to clinch a year-round deal.

But another impressive Boxing Day showing against South Africa finally convinced the selectors that, at 31, Bichel is in his prime.

Still a chance

This year's bright young thing is New South Wales pace bowler Stuart Clark, took 45 first-class wickets and impressed for Australia A against New Zealand and South Africa.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that my hard work over the past few years has paid off," said the 26-year-old.

"I have been in the mix for a Blues pace bowling spot for a while, but it was only this year that I was able to grab my opportunities.

"The contract will give me some extra confidence going into the new season because I'll know that I'm in the selectors eyes for higher honours in the future."

Clark is one of two uncapped contractees

Of course, with 25 names on the list, not everyone named will see international action, either at Test or one-day level, this season.

And the inclusion of men like Bichel, the arrival of 19-year-old all-rounder Shane Watson and the return from international obscurity of Jimmy Maher during last year show that players without contracts can still be called up.

Four men, though, will see this announcement as a final signal that their international careers are over.

Greg Blewett has not played internationally for the last 12 months and, as he will be 32 when the next Australian season begins, even strong domestic form is apparently not enough to gain him another chance.

Utility bowler Colin Miller was dropped by his state side Victoria this year, as they looked to the future with 19-year-old leg-spin all-rounder Cameron White.

Another season beset by injury saw Damien Fleming spend much of his season playing second XI cricket.

And, after being dropped from the Test side while in England, Michael Slater suffered a poor season both on and off the field, and was left out by the Blues in mid-season.

Katich will have other chances to prove his worth at the highest level, but for these former Test stars, the depth of talent in the Australian system is unlikely to give them a further break.