Cricket Australia (CA) and Australia Cricketers Association failed to ink the common minimum programme, thus resulting in unemployment of around 200 Australia cricketers contracted with CA. Their contract will come to an end from 12 O’ Clock tonight and from then onwards, Cricket Australia will not be their employer anymore. Though CA will continue to support their Women’s team financially, which is playing 50 over World Cup in England.
The Australian cricketers will now to table a meeting in Sydney on June 30 regarding the matter.
“This may place significant financial and emotional strain on them (players) and their families. It is unfortunate that the ACA’s hardline and inflexible position has not been conducive to delivering any positive outcomes or certainty for players,” a statement from Cricket Australia read as.
The main reason of impasse between the board and players is the pay issue. CA was keen to bring about a change in the revenue model, which is not acceptable to players and they are not ready to accept this proposal of the board. Later, the board tabled few meetings where many of the proposals were discussed but none of it could match the expectations of the players.
“To be contracted for the best part of 10 years, nearly, for me, it’s going to be a different stage and we’ll see how it pans out,” he said. “It [pay negotiations] never got to this point before in the past. It’s going to leave a bit of a bitter taste to come to that date [July 1] but we are, obviously, willing to do what we need to,” said Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood.
“They always seem to point out the no crowds at Sheffield Shield cricket but they always leave out the Big Bash that draws in massive crowds every game,” he said. “The Australian cricket team isn’t really a part of that, to be honest. It’s solely domestic players with a couple of internationals in different teams. But they provide a great spectacle. That six-week is just thriving with crowds… I think they would feel disrespected, definitely,” he added.
With the end of contract of players, there looms a threat over Australia’s participation in upcoming series against South Africa and Bangladesh. Australia A is set to take part in tri-series against South Africa and India A followed by two unofficial Test matches against South Africa A. The Australian side is to tour Bangladesh for two Test match series but now this progress in the impasse has raised clouds over Australia’s participation in both the series. In fact, there lies a bigger threat as Australian players can also boycott the Ashes series to be played in November. In case this event happens, it will be the lowest point in the history of Australian cricket. (Read Here: Six Months Ban On Australia Players For Playing Unsanctioned League)
Though the board and players are expected to sort out the issue till then.