Divides widen in pay dispute
THE war of words over Australian cricket’s pay saga continues to bubble, with former Test openers Ed Cowan and Michael Slater sharing a heated argument on radio.
It comes as Slater also called out Shane Watson over the star allrounder’s declaration that the ongoing dispute is not about the players grabbing for more money.
Slater said the players continue to risk public support turning on them at any moment as the pay war drags on with the Australia A tour of South Africa now scrapped unless an agreement can be reached before Friday.
“Some might think ‘what’s the matter if they go there or not?’,” Slater told Sky Sports Radio’s Big Sports Breakfast.
“It’s so important in the system because ... we’ve got the Ashes around the corner.
“(Watson) says what people need to know (is) this is not a grab for extra money. Really?”
Cowan all but accused Cricket Australia (CA) of wanting to run the game as a dictatorship, when Slater hinted players were only digging in because of their salaries.
The previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CA and the players’ union expired June 30.
It means 230 players are currently unemployed and Australia’s participation in future series remain in doubt.
CA is pushing to scrap the revenue-sharing model that has governed players’ salaries for 20 years. The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) says it must remain in place.
Cowan, speaking as a guest on Sky Sports Radio, argued the ACA’s stance had as much to do with good governance as it did players’ income.
“We’ve shown, not just us but the world, that dictatorships don’t work so what we’re trying to do is create a genuine partnership,” Cowan said.
“They (CA) have proven in the past they don’t spend money in the right areas.” ED COWAN ON THE PAY DISPUTE
WE’VE SHOWN, NOT JUST US BUT THE WORLD, THAT DICTATORSHIPS DON’T WORK
Slater pushed back in the interview, suggesting clearly the scrap is “all about money”.
“What is this partnership rubbish?” Slater quipped, kickstarting a terse back-and-forth.
“You’re telling me this whole fight isn’t over money?”
Cowan took exception, firing back at the 47-year-old.
“Let me finish. Let me finish,” he said. “I think your view is seriously impeded by your job at Channel Nine.”
The incredulous host snapped back that his opinion has “absolutely nothing to do with me being at Channel Nine”.
“I’m an ex-cricketer who got paid to play the game and I never walked out there thinking about whether I was a partner,” Slater said. “Because I felt like I was a partner and it didn’t matter how my pay was paid. It has zero to do with my employment.”