Aussies no-ball new pay offer
Australia’s players’ union yesterday rejected a Cricket Australia pay and conditions proposal, saying it was unfair and disrespectful. The sport’s governing body put forward an improved offer, but the Australian Cricketers’ Association called it a “win” for administrators, but a “loss” for cricket.
CA has offered total pay for all players, including guaranteed and performance elements, of $313 million over the next fiveyears, an increase of 35%.
Men who represent Australia at international level would see their average yearly retainer rise to $610 000 by 2021/22.
With match fees and performance bonuses, the expected average income for these players – including Big Bash League Twenty20 payments – would soar 25% to $1.09 million.
CA also plans to more than double elite women players’ pay, giving them the opportunity to pursue a fully professional career at both international and domestic levels.
But the ACA said the offer compromised CA’s “otherwise positive response to the ACA’s calls for gender equity”.
The players union added that the proposal also “disrespects the value of domestic cricketers and the role they play in Australian cricket”.
It further said the offer “fails to allocate with transparency or certainty the independently forecasted $1.94 billion which is expected to enter that game over the next five years”.
CA chief James Sutherland said he was disappointed, but remained confident a deal could be struck before the current deal expires at the end of June.
“They will find this really is a ground-breaking offer and a fair deal for all players,” he said. – AFP