Johnson on a high, Lee set for pay cut in new CA contracts

MELBOURNE: In-form pacer MitchellJohnson is all set to become the second highest paid player in the 25-mancontract list of Cricket Australia, which might hand out pay cuts toinjury-ravaged bowling spearhead Brett Lee and struggling batsman MikeHussey."Mitchell Johnson will be the big mover in Australia's newcontract rankings and is closing in on the cherished mantle of the nation'shighest-paid player," reported The Courier Mail."Boom quick Johnson,not in the top four players last season, is likely to be promoted to the No.2spot when the Australian selectors decide their 25-man contract list in the nextfew weeks," the report stated."Mike Hussey and Brett Lee areexpected to be given pay cuts."The newspaper said skipper RickyPonting is likely to retain his number one spot in the contract list despite theAustralian team's inconsistent form under him.Johnson's elevationcomes in the wake of his good performance this summer, during which he grabbed14 wickets in the two Tests against New Zealand, 17 wickets against South Africain three Tests in Australia and 16 in South Africa.He proved hisworth with the bat as well, scoring his maiden Test hundred during the awayseries against South Africa.