CRICKETERS STAND FIRM
AUSTRALIA A cricketers continued training yesterday despite their coming tour of South Africa being likely to be scrapped within 24 hours.
The squad trained in Brisbane amid backroom negotiations to try to break the pay dispute impasse between Cricket Australia and the players’ union.
CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association remain at loggerheads over a future model of determining pay.
About 230 of the nation’s best cricketers were effectively unemployed after the expiration last weekend of their previous deal on players’ wages, which was based on a revenue sharing model.
The Australia A squad was due to depart for South Africa tomorrow for a tour including four-day matches and a limited overs tri-series that would involve India A.
But Australia’s involvement in the tour is expected to be scrapped unless there is a lastminute breakthrough in negotiations.
A CA spokesman yesterday said there were “ongoing discussions” over the stalemate.
But the players are steadfast they won’t tour South Africa unless a fresh deal is agreed.
CA wants to abandon the revenue sharing model but the player union says the model must remain.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke on Tuesday suggested the previous deal be extended to buy more time to find a lasting solution.
“What needs to happen is keep the current [deal] for the next 12 months and allow the players to get back to what they do best,” Clarke said.
“Cricket Australia, the ACA, please go behind closed doors and sort this in private.
“The players want to play . . . let’s allow them to play while this stuff gets sorted out in the background.”