Series lost, CA plans contractual shake-up

The ominous effect of Australia's downslide has started to tell with Cricket Australia on the verge of its biggest contractual shake-up following its team's first home Test series defeat in 16 years.

The ominous effect of Australia's downslide has started to tell with Cricket Australia on the verge of its biggest contractual shake-up following its team's first home Test series defeat in 16 years.

HT Image

Up to eight contracts, valued at more than $2 million, are up for grabs as a result of several stars facing the chop or a salary downgrade, according to a report.

Struggling opener Matthew Hayden risks a $300,000 pay cut if he decides to play on, while Ashley Noffke, Brad Hodge, Cameron White, Beau Casson, James Hopes and Adam Voges are in the firing line for disappearing from the international radar.

Another contracted player, Stuart MacGill, retired last June while former Test quick Shaun Tait and troubled all-rounder Andrew Symonds are facing financial blows.

The big winner is Mitchell Johnson, poised to earn a base Cricket Australia contract of more than $600,000 for becoming Australia's leading paceman, according to 'Herald Sun'.

Hayden, ranked in Australia's top five players two years ago, will drop out of contract list if he is omitted or retires before the Ashes in June.

Should Hayden seek an Ashes swansong, he could have his base deal -- valued at $650,000 -- slashed due to his recent form and, consequently, his flagging selection prospects in the next 12 months.

Leading player agent Neil Maxwell said cricket's contract landscape would change dramatically this year, especially if CA introduced an additional rankings system to rate players in the Twenty20 format.

CA currently ranks players according to status and potential in Test and one-day arenas.