There Is So Much To Lose By Not Resolving The Pay Issues, Says Matthew Hayden
Jul 19, 2017 at 12:21 PM
The background:
The ongoing pay dispute between Cricket Australia (CA) and Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) is just getting longer. The Australian cricket board is looking determined to end the 20-year old revenue-share model of player payments. However, their plans has hit a roadblock with ACA, firmly supported by the players, vehemently opposing the proposal.
The pay dispute began when CA stated that it wants to introduce a new model by claiming that the existing model no longer fits commercial realities and is robbing the grassroots of vital funding. Under the old model which expired on June 30 this year, leaving more than 200 Australian players unemployed, Australian and international players were allocated about 25 percent of revenues which were then dispersed among international and domestic players.
However, the Australian board wanted to introduce a new model under which only male international players would have the chance to share in any surplus revenue, while other domestic male players and women at both domestic and international level would have to settle for fixed amounts which would not fluctuate according to the game’s income.
But ACA rejected the proposal saying that it disrespects the value of domestic cricketers and the role they play in Australian cricket. The CA then offered a greater share of international surpluses, included domestic players in its sharing arrangement and opted to increase annual pay rises to state players but the players’ union was quick to reject it.
With both the parties at loggerheads, nothing positive has come out yet and the consequences are now coming to the surface. Recently, the players boycotted Australia A’s tour of South Africa and in case a pay deal is not struck soon, the upcoming series are also likely to be jeopardised.
The story:
Legendary batsman Matthew Hayden has said that while the pay dispute will eventually get resolved, just like many he too has no idea how.
“I think it will get resolved. but I am not sure how it will get resolved. That is because there have been mediation efforts and that have not been accepted,” he told PTI.
The former Australia opener, who is currently in Chennai as a commentator for the Tamil Nadu Premier League, said that the issues should be resolved quickly for the betterment of the game.
“Plans have been laid out pretty substantially. There has to be a meeting of the minds. And, it has to happen quickly. We have a tour of India coming up as well. It is very important part of meeting the ICC future tours programme. There is a lot at stake. Not to mention of the Ashes. (Matches against) India and the Ashes are the premium test match events in the Australian cricket culture. There is so much to lose by not resolving the issues,” he said.