Simon Katich and Marcus North axed by Australia

Simon Katich and Marcus North's international careers look over after they were omitted from Cricket Australia's list of 25 contracted players for the next 12 months.

Patrick Cummins and James Pattinson were offered their first CA contracts and John Hastings, Xavier Doherty, Usman Khawaja, David Hussey and Jason Krejza also received full deals after being upgraded last summer.

But the promotion of those seven means that Katich, North, their fellow batsman Adam Voges, all-rounders James Hopes and Andrew McDonald and fast bowlers Clint McKay and Shaun Tait were all axed.

There were also fresh deals for veteran quicks Brett Lee and Ryan Harris, even though both have battled serious injury problems in recent seasons.

Katich, 35, was forced out by injury after Australia lost the second Ashes Test in Adelaide and the left-handed opener now appears long odds to add to his 56 Tests, which included ten centuries and a top score of 157.

CA Contracts list: Doug Bollinger (NSW), Michael Clarke (c, NSW), Patrick Cummins (NSW), Xavier Doherty (TAS), Callum Ferguson (SA), Brad Haddin (NSW), Ryan Harris (QLD), John Hastings (VIC), Nathan Hauritz (NSW), Ben Hilfenhaus (TAS), Phil Hughes (NSW), David Hussey (VIC), Michael Hussey (WA), Mitchell Johnson (WA), Usman Khawaja (NSW), Jason Krejza (TAS), Brett Lee (NSW), Shaun Marsh (WA), Tim Paine (TAS), James Pattinson (VIC), Ricky Ponting (TAS), Peter Siddle (VIC), Steve Smith (NSW), Shane Watson (NSW), Cameron White (VIC).