Pay dispute ends, Clarke and Johnson big winners in CA's contract list

Melbourne, Jun 22:  Skipper Michael Clarke and pacer Mitchell Johnson have emerged as biggest gainers in Cricket Australia’s list of contracted players for the next year,as the governing body has reduced the number from 25 to 17.

As chief executive James Sutherland and players union boss Paul Marsh announced the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding in Melbourne, the list of nationally contracted players for 2012-13 was released.

Captain Michael Clarke, who tops the list, will earn a base salary of about $2 million and will pocket much more when his captain’s allowance and match fees are taken into account.

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 each Test match, $5600 for a one-day international and $4200 for a Twenty20 international.

David Warner joins Clarke at the top of the list, The Age reports.

Johnson, who was dogged by poor form before breaking down with a foot injury during Australia’s tour of South Africa last November, also retained his place.

He did not play the entire summer and it was widely believed the emergence of young guns Patrick Cummins, Mitchell Starc and James Pattinson - on top of the form of Peter Siddle, Ryan Harris and Ben Hilfenhaus - would bring an end to the left-armer’s international career.

However, Johnson was chosen for Australia''s one-day tour of Ireland and England and his retention of a contract is evidence that national selection chief John Inverarity and his colleagues on the panel have him in their plans a year out from the Ashes.

Among the omissions are Ed Cowan, George Bailey, Shaun Marsh, Steve Smith, Brett Lee, Phil Hughes, Doug Bollinger, Usman Khawaja, Tim Paine, Cameron White and Nathan Hauritz.

Cricket Australia contracted players: Michael Clarke, Patrick Cummins, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Ben Hilfenhaus, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Johnson, James Pattinson, Ricky Ponting, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Matthew Wade, David Warner, Shane Watson.