Brett Lee Play For Australia And Get Contract:Fast bowler Brett Lee has retained his Cricket Australia contract for 2010-11 but fellow pacemen Stuart Clark and Nathan Bracken were among five players dropped from the 25-strong list released on Wednesday.
Batsmen Brad Hodge and David Hussey and wicketkeeper Graham Manou also lost their central contracts.
The selectors have stuck by Lee, 33, who has retired from test cricket, despite injuries and poor form. He has been selected in the squad for the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies starting on April 30.
"I suppose it's a leap of faith, but a leap of faith in a player who's taken 300-odd test wickets and has been one of our best, so we're giving him that opportunity," chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch told reporters on Wednesday.
Lee, who took 310 wickets in 76 tests, is currently playing for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League in a bid to find form following a lengthy recovery from surgery in December for an elbow injury.
The five promoted players are pacemen Ryan Harris and Clint McKay, wicketkeeper-batsman Tim Paine, all-rounder Steven Smith and batsman Adam Voges.
Contracted players will receive a minimum retainer of A$200,000 dollars ($186,000) plus match fees, tour fees and prize money.
