05:38
Chappell: No deal a PR distaster for CA, players
No Australian players will sign contracts nor take part in the Australia A tour of South Africa unless an MoU is agreed between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers Association, but selected squad members have agreed to take part in a training camp in Brisbane from Monday ahead of the proposed trip.
The decision, reached by the ACA’s executive and a large gathering of male and female players in Sydney on Sunday – the men’s national team captain Steven Smith dialled in from holidays in the United States – allows the two parties a little more time to find some middle ground without players immediately withdrawing from pre-season plans. It also confirms that all players, whether on multi-year deals with their states or not, will refuse to play without an MOU.
State players, both in and out of contract, had already indicated their willingness to continue training after the July 1 lapsing of the previous MoU, which has left as many as 230 players unemployed. CA had declared on Friday that all money originally intended for those players would instead be diverted directly to grassroots programs – a figure estimated to be worth about A$1.2 million a fortnight. The board’s lead MoU negotiator, Kevin Roberts, sent an internal memo to all staff emphasising how valuable this money would be to the game’s lower levels.
“The players have resolved that, unless contractually obliged, no male or female players intend to play for a Cricket Australia (CA) team whilst fellow players remain unemployed due to the absence of an MoU,” an ACA spokesman said. “This is an outright rejection of CA’s attempts to divide and rule. It is a resolution, which will be revisited at the next and subsequent ACA Executive meetings, since the players remain hopeful that common sense will prevail and a new MOU can still be agreed on fair terms.
“The Executive noted that all players with valid and enforceable contracts (such as multi-year State or BBL deals) will continue to honour them, and will expect their employers to do the same. This includes an expectation of the players sharing in revenue as contained in those contracts. If this is not honoured by their employer, then the enforceability of these contracts will also become questionable.
“The Executive noted legal advice that a State Player may “accept” or reject an offer to participate on a Tour with CA, such as the proposed Australia A Tour of South Africa. Australia’s Women’s World Cup Squad will continue and complete their tournament as they agreed to do in good faith prior to the expiration of the MoU. The ACA wished them the best in their endeavours.”
More to follow…
Daniel Brettig is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @danbrettig
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Source: ESPN Crickinfo