Why so long? — Chappelli

IAN Chappell was left pondering the same questions on the minds of millions of Australian cricket fans yesterday: why wasn’t a pay deal signed a long time ago and who is accountable?

Chappell, a central figure in the World Series Cricket revolution 40 years ago, is happy to see the end of the saga but disappointed the sport was dragged through so much mud for so little gain.

Cricket Australia (CA) and the players’ union signed a five-year deal worth about $500 million on Thursday.

James Sutherland, appointed CA’s chief executive in 2001, has overseen plenty of tense pay talks in his tenure but none have been anywhere near as unedifying as the recent spat. Both CA and the Australian Cricketers’ Association feel the other side is entirely to blame.

“Obviously it hasn’t done the game any good,” former skipper Chappell said. “When it happens like this, surely someone has to be accountable.

“It’s good news to have it done but the first thought is why didn’t it happen before June 30? Why wasn’t it done long ago before it alienated a lot of people? You figure the reason is a lack of respect from both sides.”

The Test squad will assemble next week in Darwin for a training camp before flying out for a two-Test tour of Bangladesh. Selectors will announce the 14th member of the party next week, with Jackson Bird considered the frontrunner.

Chappell suggested Steve Smith’s side would put the industrial dispute out of their minds long before their Test series starts in Dhaka on August 27. But he added the relationship between administrators and players clearly wasn’t in great shape.