Players won't hang around for cash: Waugh

By Greg Buckle

The prospect of becoming a millionaire under the new four-year Australian Cricket Board (ACB) salary deal will not lead to older test cricketers playing on just for the cash, Australia captain Steve Waugh said on Thursday.

"Money shouldn't influence how long you play and I think that will show through," Waugh told reporters in Melbourne. "If someone is playing for money, their performances won't be up to scratch."

"And if I'm not good enough, I don't want to be there," he added.

The ACB said on Wednesday that they expected Australia would have its first millionaire cricketer within the four-year lifetime of the new salary deal.

Waugh and twin brother Mark will turn 36 next month on the Ashes tour of England and both have kept their options open for Australia's World Cup defence in South Africa in 2003.

The ACB announced a list of 25 contracted players for the 2001-02 season on May 1. The players will now be ranked from one to 25, and the top player could earn A$1 million ($520,000) over the four years of the agreement.

ACB public affairs manager Brendan McClements said on Wednesday that players who postponed retirement to chase the big salaries would still have to produce results on the field to meet rankings requirements as set down by selectors.

DEAL WELCOMED

Waugh said the players were happy with the deal, which was negotiated on their behalf by the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) chief executive Tim May.

"It's something we've been working on for a while and I think it's obviously fair because the cricket board have agreed with the ACA," Waugh said.

Speculation as to which player will benefit most from the new deal has centred on vice-captain Adam Gilchrist, batsman Ricky Ponting and fast bowler Brett Lee.

"There's guys who are doing pretty well, but Brett Lee would have to be at pretty short odds I think," Waugh said.

"Good luck to them whoever it is. You never know, it might be Steve Waugh," he added.

Mail Cricket Editor