The Australia Pacer Mithcell Starc has become the first player to bypass the rules and regulations of Cricket Australia (CA) after he signed with a firm which is not on the list of Cricket Australia’s protected sponsor. It is to be noted that he has signed with Audi, whereas, CA already has Toyota as their protected sponsor.

This is a sort of a revolt from the tall and lanky pacer who also becomes the first Australia cricketer to go beyond the line drawn by the board.

At present, the Australian cricketers are sans any contract and they remain unemployed at the moment. The previous contract offered by CA lasted until June 30 and no result to sort out the impasse between the board and players saw CA not renewing the contract of Australian players, which resulted in them going unemployed from midnight June 30. (Read Here: BCCI To Interview Six Candidates For Coach Job)

Cricket Australia though had already warned players to not sign any unprotected endorsements or play in any unsanctioned leagues. Should they play a league of this sort, a ban of six months is inevitable. Though Starc hasn’t signed for any league, this step from him speaks for itself and gives an indication that few more players will do the same for their survival if the contract is not renewed. (Read Here: Angelo Mathews Hints Quitting Captaincy Ahead Of 2019 World Cup)

Australian players have already withdrawn from the tour to South Africa, where Australia A was to play a tri-series and two unofficial Test matches. The threat looms over the tour to Bangladesh as well but there is still one month to go for that tour. If the impasse between the two parties continues to go for long, then one can see the players boycotting the Ashes series as well. Meanwhile, England side has already indicated that they will not tour to Australia for the Ashes series if the CA doesn’t provide a contract to the Australian players.