Players’ Union Sends Warning to Australian Players Over Pay Dispute

Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Alastair Nicholson warned players that it will take more than six months for the matter to be resolved.

Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland called for arbitration in order to resolve the pay dispute between the board and players, Australian Cricketers’ Association chief Alastair Nicholson warned players that it will take more than six months for the matter to be resolved.

While CA have offered arbitration, the AC wants meditation to solve the issue that not only puts the tour Australia’s tour of Bangladesh and India in danger but also the upcoming Ashes.

“Arbitration would bring about a significant delay in resolution as it would take many months, (perhaps 6 to 9) could be very costly (possibly costing hundreds of thousands of dollars which would be better spent in grassroots investment), and involve a multitude of policy and financial questions unique to elite international team sports which the arbitrator would need to consider, and the continued uncertainty through the summer on the revenue share model outcome and future employment of the players,” Nicholson wrote in his email to the 230-odd unemployed players on Saturday (July 29). Also read: India in Sri Lanka: Virat Kohli Records Fifty-plus Average in All Three Formats

Sutherland had acknowledged that if the pay dispute issue is not settled soon, it will put upcoming tours at risk which will force CA to cope with a major financial blow.

To resolve the issue there are series of discussions took place to reach the settlement as soon as possible.

The players’ association ACA had put forward a proposal for 30 million dollars at the grassroots level, but Sutherland revealed the offer presented them will comprise their ability to invest the money and improve things. Also read: India and Sri Lanka to Play Again Later This Year

“The players have a really important role to play in the success of our sport but whether they should be decision-makers about where we invest our grassroots funding is a completely different matter,” Sutherland told News Corp Australia. “What would the players know about that? What would the ACA know about that? Our decision-making authority being compromised by some form of veto is unthinkable.

Nicholson shot back at the claims and said the players need consultation and they are not trying to direct the board.