Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy dismissed suggestions that the national players were under-paid.

Healy said although Ricky Ponting's men play too many matches they are being compensated with huge perks.

The matter came to public glare in Australia after vice-captain Michael Clarke raised the issue of burnout last week, claiming a glut of cricket, coupled with off-field sponsorship duties, had affected players' downtime and private lives.

"Perception is better than the truth in many cases. They are playing more games, but they are pretty well paid, they share in the game's revenues and that's what they have to ensure - that the game's revenue stays strong so they continue to benefit," Healy was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Telegraph'.

A recent study of the cricket calendar and player earnings suggests Australia's top players are getting handsome rewards for their efforts.

Last year, not a single contracted Australian player played more than 85 days of international cricket, with the top 12 collectively receiving 2.7 million Australian dollars as match fees.