Australia dump Slater, Miller as contracted players

Australia dumped eight players including former Test stars Michael Slater and Colin Miller on Wednesday when they released a list of 25 contracted players for the next 12 months.

Australia test captain Steve Waugh, 36, who was recently dropped from the national one-day side and replaced as captain by Ricky Ponting, was retained -- as was twin brother Mark.

The Australian media have speculated that both Waughs will struggle for places in the national side for the World Cup defence in South Africa next year with the 2002-03 Ashes series looming as a possible swansong for the celebrated duo.

Miller, 38, a right-arm off-spinner, was named in February 2001 as Australia's Test player of the year, but suffered a disappointing 2001-02 season in Australia where he could not even win a regular place in the Victoria team for Australian interstate matches.

He toured England for the 2001 Ashes series with the Australia squad but did not play a Test and was also overlooked for the home Tests against New Zealand and South Africa and the tour of South Africa.

Miller has taken 69 wickets in 18 Tests after making his debut aged 34 in 1988-89 against Pakistan at Rawalpindi.

Slater, 32, also found himself dropped from his state side, New South Wales, in 2001-02.

The free-scoring opening batsman has not played a Test since the fourth match of the 2001 Ashes series.

He was replaced by Justin Langer who formed an extremely successful partnership with Matthew Hayden.

Slater has scored 14 centuries in 74 Tests.

Greg Blewett, Damien Fleming, Simon Katich, Shane Lee, Ashley Noffke and wicketkeeper Wade Seccombe were also not included in the 25-man list released by the Australian Cricket Board (ACB).

New South Wales fast bowler Stuart Clark, 26, has been offered his first contract. Western Australia left-hand batsman Mike Hussey returns after he was offered his first ACB contract two years ago.

The minimum base retainer for ACB contracted players is A$110,000 (US$59,000) for 2002-03, up A$15,000 from last year, the ACB said.

"The highest-ranked player will receive a base retainer of around A$440,000, up A$15,000 from last year," the ACB said.

Australia's contracted players: Michael Bevan, Andrew Bichel, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Nathan Hauritz, Matthew Hayden, Mike Hussey, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Martin Love, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Jimmy Maher, Damien Martyn, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Brad Williams.

(A$1.00 = US$0.54)

Mail Cricket Editor