Australian Cricket Board Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Speed, today announced the twenty-five players to be contracted by the Board for the next twelve months. They are:

• Michael Bevan (NSW)
• Greg Blewett (SA)
• Adam Dale (QLD)
• Damien Fleming (VIC)
• Adam Gilchrist (WA)
• Jason Gillespie (SA)
• Matthew Hayden (QLD)
• Ian Healy (QLD)
• Brendon Julian (WA)
• Simon Katich (WA)
• Justin Langer (WA)
• Shane Lee (NSW)
• Darren Lehmann (SA)
• Damien Martyn (WA)
• Stuart MacGill (NSW)
• Glenn McGrath (NSW)
• Colin Miller (TAS)
• Tom Moody (WA)
• Ricky Ponting (TAS)
• Paul Reiffel (VIC)
• Michael Slater (NSW)
• Andrew Symonds (QLD)
• Shane Warne (VIC)
• Mark Waugh (NSW)
• Steve Waugh (NSW)

Adam Dale, Mathew Hayden, Simon Katich, Shane Lee, Colin Miller, and Andrew Symonds have been added to the list.

Mark Taylor (retired) Andy Bichel, Mathew Elliott, Michael Kasprowicz, Gavin Robertson and Brad Young will not have their existing contracts renewed.

"Selection as an ACB contracted player is a major milestone for any Australian cricketer. It recognises and rewards the players who on form and performance are at the head of the queue for Australian selection.

"Australia is regarded as the premier Test and One Day International team in the world. This is a ringing endorsement of the outstanding job performed by the selectors in picking both the Test and One Day International sides," said Mr Speed.

Mr Speed said that the selection panel of Trevor Hohns (Chairman), Allan Border and Andrew Hilditch had nominated the 25 players based on two primary criteria:

• The form of the players; and
• Their likelihood of Australian selection over the next 12 months taking into account the teams Australia will play, the balance of the side and the need to ensure the future development of the Test and One Day International teams.

The contracted players will be the core group from which players would be drawn for both Tests and One Day Internationals in the up-coming year, including the domestic Ansett Australia Test Series and Carlton and United Series.

The contracted players will be paid a base retainer, match fees and tour fees. Under a formula agreed with the Australian Cricketers Association, the minimum amount for the base retainer offered to the lowest ranked contracted player is $65 000.

The highest ranked player will receive a base retainer of $220 000.

Uncontracted players remain eligible for Australian selection and the ACB has adopted a new procedure to upgrade uncontracted players to an ACB contract if they win regular selection.

© 1999 Australian Cricket Board