Sutherland remains uninvolved in pay talks
Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland has reaffirmed his decision not to become involved with the ongoing pay negotiations.
The previous Memorandum of Understanding expired over the weekend effectively rendering over 230 players unemployed.
Sutherland remains resolute in his desire not to enter into CEO to CEO talks with his opposite number at the Australian Cricketer’s association.
ALSO READ: Australia A will refuse to tour SA without new contracts
The ACA convened a special meeting of its executive over the weekend in Sydney passing a resolution that read: “The players affirm their view that third party mediation at CEO level remains the right process to resolve the current impasse.”
CA’s head of strategy and people Kevin Roberts has been left with the responsibility of leading MoU talks but it has been clear for some time that talks have been deadlocked.
The Australia A squad have given CA until Friday to resolve the pay dispute, failing which the players will stage a boycott of the tour to South Africa.
Also in danger is the Test tour to Bangladesh as well as the Ashes.
Cricket Australia have threatened the players with long bans should they engage in any exhibition matches during this time.
The sticking point in the deal has been CA desire to abolish the revenue sharing model with domestic players in particular those who do not play BBL set to be hit hardest if that element is removed from the MoU.
Former Test batsman Ed Cowan told Sky Sports Radio: “The median [state contract] income for a domestic player is less than $100,000.
“We’re trying to compete with other sports, attract talent, and yet domestic players, particularly those who don’t play in the Big Bash, do not get paid very well.
“Averages and medians are very different numbers. What CA likes to do is average the top contract with the bottom contract and say ‘that’s your average player’. But we’ve got 20 people in our [New South Wales] squad, and 70% of them will be within A$20,000 of the base contract. The top contract is within A$40,000 of the bottom contract, and there’s a A$70,000 gap between that and the [CA offer] average. No-one’s even close to that.
“Across the states, I’ve talked to players from every single state, I’ve played for two states, and been a senior player in both those states.”
Latest
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.
-
England
Andrew Flintoff would be excellent England coach – Rob Key
The former national team captain will lead Northern Superchargers in The Hundred this summer.