Cricket Australia slam players as deadline passes
Cricket Australia has attempted to hit the player’s body for six after admitting that a new pay deal with players would not be reached hours before the June 30 deadline expired.
As a result, members of the Australian Cricketer’s Association are now unemployed and will remain so until a new Memorandum of Understanding is agreed to.
CA blasted the player’s union for not showing ''genuine flexibility’’ and having an ‘’unwillingness to consider the sensible and necessary change’’ they wish to make.
The governing body claimed the divisive revenue-sharing concept that is at the centre of the dispute was never intended to be a permanent part of the MOU.
''The model was adopted 20 years ago to address the underpayment of players. The game has changed fundamentally since then: players are now justifiably well rewarded and the modern challenge is the chronic under-funding of the grassroots of the game, particularly junior cricket,’’ a CA statement said.
''In addition to rejecting any change to the existing model, the ACA rejected out of hand and without discussion the very positive remuneration and benefits proposal made by CA in March. The proposal offers significant increases in pay and benefits for all players over the next five years.’’
Cricket Australia said they offered pay deals that would include remuneration increases of 25% for international players and 18% for domestic players over the next five years.
Average payments for international players are expected to reach $1.45m per year by the end of the new deal while domestic players are expected to earn an average of $235,000 in 2021/22.
Cricket Australia also expressed disappointment that the revised offer they presented to players on June 23 was immediately dismissed by the ACA.
''Over the past months CA has repeatedly sought to engage with the ACA in a genuine dialogue and to commence a proper negotiation process. It is regrettable that these efforts have been rebuffed, resulting in the current situation which CA recognises is not in the interests of either the players or the game,’’ the statement said.
''CA is concerned that many players will be without a contract from midnight tonight and this may place significant financial and emotional strain on them and their families. It is unfortunate that the ACA’s hard line and inflexible position has not been conducive to delivering any positive outcomes or certainty for players.’’
In an ominous sign that put the ball firmly back in the court of the players, Cricket Australia remain resolute that the revenue-sharing model the players want to keep will not be part of the next deal.
''CA remains resolute that the fixed revenue share model must change in the broader interests of cricket. It continues to believe that a new MOU can be agreed in the near future if the ACA is prepared to acknowledge the magnitude and pace of change that is occurring and come to the table with a genuine spirit of flexibility.’’
While the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner are unlikely to feel any financial pain in the coming weeks, the same cannot be said for those struggling to make their way into the top level.
Plenty of out-of-contract state scrappers are on the other end of the pay scale and don't have other income or savings to fall back on.
The ACA has established a support fund that will help provide necessary living expenses while the MoU stalemate continues.
It's understood the mechanics of the program will be one of many topics discussed during Sunday's unprecedented meeting of players in Sydney. Some details are being kept confidential.
Off-contract domestic players facing genuine financial hardship, who intend to play in 2017-18, will be eligible to access funds to cover items such as rent, food and bills.
"A rookie male retainer is $40,000 per year. So for players that are living away from home to pursue their professional cricket dream, not being paid beyond July 1 is going to be a challenge," ACA player liaison manager Simon Katich told AAP.
"The same goes for female domestic players who may be balancing part-time work, study and playing.
"That's why this scheme was created ... players are incredibly united and galvanised around this cause."
CA has used cash as both carrot and stick in its attempts to convince players that scrapping the revenue-sharing model is a good idea.
"What is important to acknowledge is that cricket is the players' job, and if you aren't getting paid to do your job, that presents the same challenges as if it were to happen to any other person," Katich said.
Smith, Warner and other international players turned down a big pay rise when they rebuffed CA's initial offer.
CA high-performance boss Pat Howard made it clear this week that out-of-contract players would not receive backpay.
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