Aussie cricket stars to receive Ashes winning bonus

Australia's Test team is reported to share a $1.6 million bonus after a 4-1 Ashes victory, and Michael Neser and Jake Weatherald are set to receive individual top-ups under Cricket Australia's pay arrangements.

Australia beat England 4-1 in the Ashes and are reported to share a $1.6 million bonus, according to The Daily Telegraph. The series win also moved Australia to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings. Michael Neser and rookie Jake Weatherald are expected to receive individual top-ups to reach Cricket Australia's minimum retainer level. Cricket Australia has also reported a financial hit after two Tests ended early, and its chief commented on the need to examine pitch balance. Key facts: - Australia won the Ashes series 4-1 and are reported to share a $1.6 million team bonus. - Michael Neser took 15 wickets in the series at an economy of 19.93, and Jake Weatherald finished with 201 runs at an average of 22.33; both are reported to have state contract earnings supplemented to Cricket Australia's minimum retainer of about $350,000. - State deals purportedly max out at $205,000, which is reported to leave a potential top-up of around $148,000 for eligible players under the pay-points system. - Cricket Australia is reported to have faced a loss of over $25 million after the Melbourne and Perth Tests concluded early, and chief executive Todd Greenberg said "short Tests are bad for business" and signalled closer attention to pitch preparation. Summary: Players are set to receive team and individual payments following a dominant Ashes series victory, and the result also improved Australia's standing in the World Test Championship. The financial impact on Cricket Australia from shortened Tests was noted by its chief, and any organisational responses to pitch preparation have not been determined at this time.