MELBOURNE, June 21: Australia’s contracted cricketers will receive pay rises and improved welfare support under a new agreement announced here on Tuesday between Cricket Australia (CA) and the players’ union.

After months of difficult negotiations, it was agreed that Cricket Australia-contracted player retainers will increase by almost six percent annually.

Under a four-year memorandum of understanding agreed by CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), players will receive 25 percent of an Australian cricket revenue pool.

CA-contracted players will receive 55 percent of the pool money, while state-contracted players will get 45 percent.

A higher negotiated amount of Australian $2.8 million (US$2.1 million) will be invested in career and welfare programs over the life of the agreement, including a set fund designed to encourage players to take up tertiary study.

CA-contracted players will receive a minimum of $145,000 (US$112,000) under their retainers for the 2005-06 season, rising by $5,000 increments over the following three seasons in the life of the agreement.

Match fees for Tests will be $12,250 for the next two seasons, rising to $12,750 a match in the last two seasons of the period of the memorandum of understanding.

Contracted players will get $4,900 for a ODI, rising to $5,100 in the 2007-08 season.—AFP