Shane Watson revealed as Australia's highest earning cricketer

BRW magazine has released its annual list of Australia's top 50 earning sport stars, with a somewhat surprising result for the country's highest paid cricketer.

Earnings are calculated by combining salaries with prize winnings and commercial sponsorships and endorsements.

The highest paid cricketer on the list, Shane Watson came in at eighth overall on the BRW list, earning $4.5 million on and off the field in 2014, while Mitchell Johnson earned $4.1 million and captain Michael Clarke made $4 million.

Watson was a fair way behind the highest paid Australian sports star, with basketballer Andrew Bogut making $16.2 million in 2014 playing for NBA team the Golden State Warriors.

Golfer Adam Scott came in second thanks in part to earnings away from the fairway, including sponsorship from Japanese clothing label Uniqlo.

Only two women made the list of 50 sports stars, with surfer Stephanie Gilmore coming in at 39 with $1.75 million and Karrie Webb just making it to 50th place with $1.28 million.

BRW Top 50 Sports Earners list for 2014

1. Andrew Bogut (Basketball) $16.2m

2. Adam Scott (Golf) $15.5m

3. Jason Day (Golf) $10.65m

4. Marcos Ambrose (Motor Racing) $5.68m

5. Tim Cahill (Soccer) $5.5m

6. Grant Balfour (Baseball) $5.18m

7. Patrick Mills (Basketball) $4.61m

8. Shane Watson (Cricket) $4.5m

9. Dante Exum (Basketball) $4.34m

10. Mitchell Johnston (Cricket) $4.1m

11. Michael Clarke (Cricket) $4m

12. David Warner (Cricket) $3.8m

13. John Senden (Golf) $3.43m

14. Steve Smith (Cricket) $3.1m

15. Marc Leishman (Golf) $3.07m

16. Mile Jedinak (Soccer) $3m

17. Brett Holman (Soccer) $3m

18. James Faulkner (Cricket) $2.8m

19. Mick Fanning (Surfing) $2.7m

20. Aron Baynes (Basketball) $2.7m

21. Daniel Ricciardo (Motor Racing) $2.6m

22. Ryan McGowan (Soccer) $2.5m

23. Cadel Evans (Cycling) $2.5m

24. Brad Haddin (Cricket) $2.5m

25. Glenn Maxwell (Cricket) $2.4m

26. Matt Jones (Golf) $2.31m

27. Mitchell Starc (Cricket) $2.2m

28. Geoff Ogilvy (Golf) $2.17m

29. Steven Bowditch (Golf) $2.08m

30. Julian Wilson (Surfing) $2m

31. Mark Bresciano (Soccer) $2m

32. Mark Webber (Motor Racing) $2m

33. Craig Lowndes (Motor Racing) $2m

34. Joel Parkinson (Surfing) $1.8

35. James Courtney (Motor Racing) $1.8m

36. George Bailey (Cricket) $1.8m

37. Aaron Finch (Cricket) $1.8m

38. Stuart Appleby (Golf) $1.77m

39. Stephanie Gilmore (Surfing) $1.75m

40. Jamie Whincup (Motor Racing) $1.6m

41. Taj Burrow (Surfing) $1.5m

42. Josh Kerr (Surfing) $1.5m

43. Israel Folau (Rugby Union) $1.5m

44. Will Power Motor (Racing) $1.5m

45. Brett Lee (Cricket) $1.5m

46. Alex Leapai (Boxing) $1.5m

47. Gary Ablett (Australian Rules Football) $1.5m

48. Zac Purton (Horse Racing) $1.4m

49. Michael Hussey (Cricket) $1.4m

50. Karrie Webb (Golf) $1.28m