Incumbent Test No.3 Alex Doolan has missed out on inclusion in the 18 players offered central contracts by Cricket Australia.

Doolan and rising pace bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile were the most surprising omissions from the list which was released on Monday.

Doolan played in all three Tests on the recent tour of South Africa.

Fringe Test batsmen Shaun Marsh and Phil Hughes have been offered contracts.

Marsh played in the first two Tests against the Proteas, but was dropped for the decider as Australia won the series 2-1.

The list, which is updated annually, was cut back from 20 to 18.

The contracts take into account form in Tests, ODIs and T20 matches.

Contracted Australian players: George Bailey, Michael Clarke, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Phil Hughes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Rogers, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.