Under-performing England fast bowler Stephen Harmison was paid nearly 250,000 pounds (about 500,000 dollars, 325,000 euros) for just seven Test appearances last year, according to a report in Britain's Sunday Times.
The details of Harmison's salary and other senior England players were published shortly before the team slumped to a crushing 189-run defeat in the first Test against New Zealand at Hamilton.
Harmison took just one for 97 in the first innings of that match and then, in what seemed a humilating sign that England captain Michael Vaughan had lost confidence in the Durham paceman, was given just four second innings overs.
Harmison's explanation for his poor display in Hamilton was that he "kept trying to bowl the million-dollar ball".
Following speculation that England cricketers were being targeted for lucrative contracts with the newly-created one-day Indian Premier League (IPL), which is due to stage a second player auction on Tuesday, the Sunday Times said the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) had released figures to them showing how much players were paid for representing their country.
Although Harmison has retired from one-day cricket, the Sunday Times said his band B England central contact was worth 145,000 pounds and meant he received more than 12,000 pounds per month without having to take the field. On top of that, he received 6,000 pounds for every home Test and 8,440 pounds for each Test overseas.