The Story
The differences between Cricket Australia (CA) and Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) over the revenue model has brought cricket to a standstill in Australia.
After the Memorandum of Understanding expired on June 30, a total of 230 cricketers currently are out of work barring few international names with multi-year contracts.
However, with or without a contract, the players have decided to stand united in support of the Australia Cricketers Association in their debate against the CA. As of now, both the sides look pretty determined in getting what they want. But, unfortunately, even after multiple discussion, a considerable positive development is yet to be brought to fore.
Former skipper want quick settlement
Michael Clarke wants the players to settle the issue through the arbitration proposed by the board. He also felt that the cricketers should continue playing and leave the matter to the administrators citing the importance of the upcoming tours, especially the Ashes against England.
“As a (former) player, I’m saying if a deal’s not done by Monday afternoon allow it go to arbitration because we need this finalised. I believe this is definitely going to arbitration, and I think the ACA would be silly to say no to it,” Clarke said while speaking to Channel Nine. “The players can’t say no, the players have got to say yes because they’ve got to play.”
Australia is set to travel to Bangladesh, India and later play the Ashes which is scheduled for later in the year. He has urged the players to keep themselves less involved with the dealings off the field to maintain continuity of the cricketing calendar without disruption.
“This (Australia men’s) team cannot afford to miss one game of cricket if we want to beat England in the Ashes. We need to go to Bangladesh (next month), we need to go to India for the ODIs (in October), and then we need to play our best cricket to beat England in Australia, which I believe we will if we’ve played some cricket together as a team.
“The players are not CEO of a business or general manager of a business. That’s not their responsibility. This needs to be done between CA and the players’ association, and the players need to do what (they) know best and that’s to play this game we love.”
He also suggested that the players shouldn’t be worried about Cricket Australia’s activities and termed the relationship between players and CA as an employee–employer bond.
“As a player, I never felt like I was a partner in the business. I never went to James Sutherland and had a conversation about where we were spending the (money). I thought my job and my responsibility as a player was to do my job as captain, help the team have success on the field and then you share in the wealth,” he said. “I always saw my role as an (employee) to Cricket Australia. They pay me to play cricket for Australia.
“But I think what the revenue share model does is allow the players’ association, not necessarily the individual player, to have that conversation with Cricket Australia and discuss where this business is going,” said Clarke as uncertainty looms over Australia’s visit to Bangladesh for the two-match Test series.