 The Aussie selectors have chosen their list of 25 players who would be awarded
the contracts for the next season. Despite dropping the senior guys like Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken, there were contracts for some of the fresh talents
like Doug Bollinger and Ryan Harris for 2010-11.
Some of the other players who have also won a place in the contract list are
Steven Smith, the leg-spinning batsman New South Wales, Tim Paine, the
wicket-keeper from Tasmania, who had come to India, replacing Graham Manou as
the back-up keeper and Andrew McDonald who is currently playing for the Delhi
Daredevils. Callum Ferguson, who had a dislocated knee last year and hasn't
played since then also wins the contract, whereas Shaun Tait also is a part
of the list.
The others to miss out are David Hussey and Brad Hodge.
Andrew Hilditch, the chief of selectors said that it was sad for Stuart Clark
and Nathan Bracken to not get the contracts. But he added that he was sure that
they will do their best to bowl their way into contention.
The rankings are not revealed to anyone, but it is said that Ricky Ponting,
Michael Clarke, Mitchell Johnson and Shane Watson should have filled the top
four places for retainers to get around A$1.5 million in the contract.
How the system works is like this. The Australian selectors rate the Australian
players in both formats of the game based on the performance in the previous
year. There are five players out of the 25 who qualify for the retainer of $1.5
million per annum, whereas the rest of them will gain at least $200,000 or more.
It is an incremental contract with more the players play the better will be
their contract amount.
David Hussey and Dave Warner, who have so far been specialist T20 players have
not won the contract, but Shaun Tait has done so, as explained by the chief
selector; "We see him as an important member of the World Twenty20 squad
and a real chance to force his way back into the Australia 50-over side.
At his best he is a powerful weapon in limited-overs cricket."
Australia's contracted players Doug Bollinger, Michael Clarke, Callum
Ferguson, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes,
Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Shaun
Marsh, Andrew McDonald, Clint McKay, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Ricky Ponting,
Peter Siddle, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.
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