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Australia's biggest stars could sign long-term contracts worth $10million after Cricket Australia reportedly have amended a long-standing pay deal.
It's a decision that aims to help counter the threat of global T20 franchises securing the services of superstars such as Test skipper Pat Cummins and Perth Ashes hero Travis Head.
New reports suggest Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) have agreed to a memorandum of understanding.
This means the restriction, which formerly limited national contracts for male and female players to three-year timeframes of confirmed financial earnings, has been lifted.
If the claims prove to be correct, the new regulations would mean Aussie stars will be able to secure lucrative deals for as long as they want.
'It's become a seller's market, players have got lots of choices as to where they play around the world', Australian Cricket Association chief executive Paul Marsh told News Corp.
Australia captain Pat Cummins (pictured) could be in for a substantial payday after the Ashes
After his unforgettable Ashes century in Perth, Aussie batter Travis Head (pictured) will like his chances of snaring a lucrative contract
Despite being dropped from the Test team earlier this year, Marnus Labuschagne (pictured) may be another Aussie player on his way to making millions
'We can't take for granted the players will sign central contracts with Cricket Australia...just because that's what they've always done previously.'
The move is part of a wider effort to stop white ball franchise leagues poaching Test stars.
Over the past five years in particular, global T20 leagues have significantly risen in popularity, with a common belief that Test cricket has taken a backward step at the same time.
The ACA's annual report recently outlined data which supports this school of thought.
It's been revealed 34 per cent of players who took part in the survey claimed they would consider foregoing an Aussie domestic contract to play in other tournaments globally.
Players like Cummins and Labuschagne have all signed multi-year contracts with CA.
But none have put pen to paper for seven+ year deals which are commonly seen in the NRL and AFL.
The news comes as Australia continues its preparation for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, which starts on December 4.
Domestic competitions such as the Indian Premier League have threatened to lure Aussie players away from playing Test cricket (paceman Mitchell Starc is pictured, playing for the Delhi Capitals)
The fitness of 32-year-old Cummins (pictured) is still up in the air ahead of the second Ashes Test in Brisbane
Calls are increasing for veteran Aussie opener Usman Khawaja to be dropped from the XI after Travis Head scored a brilliant hundred as the hosts chased down 205 for victory at Optus Stadium in their second innings.
The uncertainty around Cummins' fitness is also proving to be one of the storylines of the Ashes series.
Australia's captain missed the first Test match due to injury, but he is tipped to make his return at the Gabba in Brisbane.
In an ominous statistic, England haven't tasted victory in the Queensland capital at Test level since 1986.
