Henriques misses out on Cricket Australia contract as Faulkner gets the nod Included ... James Faulkner during a Twenty20 game against Sri Lanka. Photo: Robert Prezioso Tasmanian all-rounder James Faulkner has surged into contention for an Ashes berth after he was given a national contract ahead of recent Test debutant Moises Henriques. The inclusion of Faulkner, 22, a consistent player across all three formats, capped fantastic recognition for Tasmania. The recent Sheffield Shield winner already had four centrally contracted players and, even with the retirement of Ricky Ponting, now has five, with Faulkner, George Bailey and Ed Cowan joining Ben Hilfenhaus and Xavier Doherty. Missed out: Moises Henriques. That Cricket Australia will take over the players' contract will make the Tigers' re-contracting and recruitment process much easier. Veteran wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was also a beneficiary of the latest contract allotment, retaining his spot despite Matthew Wade being Australia's preferred gloveman in all three formats. In addition to the Tasmanians, Victorian pair Glenn Maxwell and Clint McKay and Phillip Hughes from South Australia also earned contracts for the 2013-14. Left on the outer: Usman Khawaja. Photo: Colleen Petch CA elected to expand its contract list from 17 to 20. With six elevated, and Ponting and Mike Hussey retiring, the only casualty was Victorian batsman David Hussey. Batsman Steve Smith, who made a promising late contribution in the disastrous Test series in India, missed out on a contract, as did regular Test batting understudy Usman Khawaja. Of the nine players who earned automatic contract upgrades in the current July-to-June contracting year, only Henriques, Smith and Aaron Finch failed to earn a full-time deal. Two valuable but injury-plagued pacemen, Pat Cummins and Ryan Harris, retained their deals. While Cummins is still completing his recovery, Harris finished the Australian domestic season very strongly, and is about to begin a stint in the Indian Premier League. Injured seamer Jackson Bird, who debuted late in the Australian summer and was man of the match in his last appearance, missed out on a deal, with fellow Tasmanian Hilfenhaus seemingly preferred. Bird is currently recuperating from a back injury and will - despite the snub - be in contention for a berth in Australia's Ashes tour to England. Hilfenhaus is likely to have been named with an eye to the Ashes series in England, where his swing bowling is suited to the conditions. Inverarity indicated that players from outside the nominated 20 would feature in the next 12 months. Jackson Bird, Moises Henriques, Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith were all very close to making this contract list and we expect them to take opportunities that are presented across formats to represent Australia and make a case for an upgrade to a CA contract, as the year unfolds. Aaron Finch hasn't made the contract list on this occasion but the NSP hopes he will make a case for future inclusion through his performances. The international career of Victorian middle order maestro David Hussey appears over at the age of 36 after he was ommitted from the contract list. "I'd never say never about anybody," Inverarity said. "But it is an indication that we are looking towards grooming some younger players," national selector John Inverarity said of batsman Hussey's omission. And as we all appreciate, we are very much in a transition stage in Australian cricket. We are looking to give experience to those young players we think will come through. 2013-14 CONTRACTED PLAYERS: George Bailey (Tas), Michael Clarke (NSW), Ed Cowan (Tas), Pat Cummins (NSW), Xavier Doherty (Tas), James Faulkner (Tas), Brad Haddin (NSW), Ryan Harris (Qld), Ben Hilfenhaus (Tas), Phillip Hughes (SA), Mitch Johnson (WA), Nathan Lyon (SA), Glenn Maxwell (Vic), Clint McKay (Vic), James Pattinson (Vic), Peter Siddle (Vic), Mitchell Starc (NSW), Matthew Wade (Vic), David Warner (NSW), Shane Watson (NSW). In: George Bailey, Ed Cowan, James Faulkner, Phillip Hughes, Glenn Maxwell, Clint McKay. Out: Mike Hussey, Ricky Ponting (retired), David Hussey