Johnson set to join CA's 2 mln-dollar 'group' if maintains Ashes form during Proteas series

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Australian pace sensation Mitchell Johnson is reportedly set to join the top echelon of Cricket Australia's (CA) contract list if he can maintain the form which reaped him 37 wickets at just under 14 runs apiece during the Ashes, which Australia won 5-0, in South Africa

The top handful of Australian players receive about two million dollars including bonuses from CA and Johnson's high rankings in all forms of the game could see him ranked as high as number two on the list behind captain Michael Clarke if he closes the summer with a strong Test tour of South Africa.

According to News.com.au, Johnson, who just made the last 17-man contract list in April 2013 when he was out of favour and not selected for the Ashes tour, is now the talk of world cricket as whatever his form in South Africa, he is set to at least triple his earnings in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

Defending IPL champions Mumbai Indians paid 330,000 dollars for Johnson when he was injured and out of form in his last IPL deal but he could earn a one million-dollar deal this time because of his considerable form and talents now, the report added.