Pay war erupts as cricketers quiz numbers

CRICKET is fighting a war on three fronts after delivering a pay offer to Australian players that has players questioning Cricket Australia’s good faith and has triggered a dispute that could end in court.

The Australian Cricketers Association held a board meeting yesterday to discuss the projections for 2020-21 which sees Australian Cricket Revenue — money from broadcasters, gate and the like — estimated to drop by 48 per cent and the pain to continue into the following financial year where it is estimated to fall by a further 20 per cent.

The ACA claims in an email to members that it had no confidence in the projections, saying “they do not appear to be reasonable or consistent with an obligation of good faith” and indicated it would seek mediation.

The next step would be legal action.

“From what the ACA has been able to determine so far, cricket is yet to suffer a significant adverse revenue event and the outlook for the game remains positive,” chief executive Alistair Nicholson said. “The reforecast appears inconsistent with CA’s own public assurances that a $300 million Indian tour is a nine out of 10.”

The email claimed communications displayed a “distinct lack of detail supporting the reforecast”.

Those privy to the discussions said the players’ body was baffled how cricket could be working off a model that sees money almost halved when there is confidence the Indian series will go ahead this summer and no indication the broadcasters will not meet their contractual obligations.

The Australian players received their rankings on Wednesday.

It is understood fast bowler Pat Cummins is again the highest ranked and paid player ahead of Steve Smith, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Tim Paine, Aaron Finch, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and Marnus Labuschagne.