- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Discarded paceman Mitchell Johnson has been given a lifeline as one of 17 players awarded a Cricket Australia contract.
CA cuts its centrally contracted players from 25 to 17, but with the ability to upgrade others if performance warrants.
While Johnson has not played for Australia in any form of the game since November last year, current Test opener Ed Cowan misses out on a contract.
One-day specialist David Hussey keeps his contract, despite never playing a Test.
But national Twenty20 captain George Bailey also missed out on contracts.
Australia’s selectors said the contracts were awarded on three criteria:
* The form of the players over the past 12 months.
* Their likelihood of being selected for Australia in any form of the game the next 12 months
* The weighting for Tests outweighs one day internationals, which outweighs T20.
National selector John Inverarity said the national selection panel (NSP) had faith in the likes of Cowan and Bailey who could still be awarded a contract.
“Naming just 17 players initially, with the ability to upgrade others, as and when performance warrants, ensures a tighter alignment between current performance, recognition and reward,” Inverarity said in a statement.
“There are a number of very good and highly regarded players who the NSP have considerable faith in – and hopes for – who didn’t, on this occasion, make the cut for the contract list of 17.
“Ed Cowan, George Bailey, Peter Forrest, Clint McKay, Dan Christian and some others come readily to mind.
“The expectation is that a handful of names will be added to the list as the season unfolds and upgrade points are accrued by those players representing Australia in the various formats of the game.”
Under a new pay agreement signed with the Australian Cricketers’ Association, the minimum CA retainer contract is worth $230,000, with performance payments, including $14,000 for test match, $5,600 for an ODI and $4,200 for a T20.
Contracted players: Michael Clarke, Pat Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Lyon, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Stark, Matt Wade, Shane Watson, David Warner.
Build your own fantasy cricket team and put it to the test with Draftstars daily fantasy competitions. Pick your match, pick your team and watch the points roll in to take out cash prizes on each match. What are you really gambling with? Set a deposit limit.