Sutherland says deal can rise from ashes and save cricket

CRICKET Australia believes 25 days is enough time to save the baggy green being brought into disrepute.

On August 18 Steve Smith’s side are scheduled to board a plane for a two Test series in Bangladesh.

If they don’t fly it will mark Australian cricket’s darkest day.

However, CA chief James Sutherland came out of a critical four-hour meeting with players’ association counterpart Alistair Nicholson yesterday confident the train has not left the tracks.

The Ashes will be saved, and the Bangladesh Test tour remains on the right path.

It is understood Sutherland sought a please explain from Nicholson as to why the Australian Cricketers Association felt it necessary to send an email to players indicating the negotiation progress had all but gone back to square one.

CA had felt nothing had broken down to warrant such an alarmist reaction, the ACA defending its actions by arguing it had a duty to 230 unemployed players wanting answers.

What is clear is the respective proposals for an immediate resolution have not satisfied the opposition.

Cricket Australia believes the ACA’s terms sheet has altered numbers, which, if ratified, would see players earn more than under the original model and less cash would find its way to grassroots.

The ACA is fuming that CA’s draft letter excludes all mention of “revenue share” — among other sticking points — which it argues is symbolic of the governing body’s need to “win everything”.

Cricket Australia said Sutherland and Nicholson’s meeting had satisfied it that negotiations had not broken down to the extent the ACA has claimed.

“Cricket Australia will not comment on details, but productive discussions were held today and progress is being made on a range of issues,” said a CA spokeswoman.

“We have been in constant communication with the ACA and we are expecting further meetings on the negotiation over the coming days.”

CA has dismissed the ACA’s email to players about the state of play as a stunt.

The ACA called its proposal a “peace plan” to break the impasse and claimed it was the only side showing flexibility.

“Reaching in principle agreement is what the players have attempted to do this week as a way of breaking the deadlock and not jeopardising any more cricket,” Nicholson said.

“The players have moved a long way. We are seeking the same movement from CA.”