Search

show me:

Uncertainty clouds T20 Cup, players' pay

3 minute read

Cricket Australia boss Kevin Roberts says talks with the players' union are ongoing but he won't push for cuts beyond what has happened at the governing body.

KEVIN ROBERTS CEO of Cricket Australia.
KEVIN ROBERTS CEO of Cricket Australia. Picture: AAP Image

Players are bracing for the prospect of Twenty20 World Cup postponement as Cricket Australia chief executive Kevin Roberts urges them to "come with" him regarding pay cuts.

Uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted Roberts to take drastic belt-tightening action, with the vast majority of CA staff stood down for the rest of this financial year as part of $20 million in cuts.

Roberts, CA's chief negotiator during an acrimonious pay dispute with players in 2017, is now locked in talks with state associations and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).

The states and players, CA's owners and most important assets respectively, have demanded financial data and questioned the need for such extreme measures.

No stakeholder has gone public with their disquiet, but many believe that could change depending on how the next crucial chapter of cricket's financial crisis unfolds.

Roberts has plenty on his plate, including an International Cricket Council CEO conference call on Thursday.

The T20 World Cup, due to be hosted by Australia in October-November, and Indian Premier League are likely to feature in discussions.

No decision about either event will be made this week, but national T20 captain Aaron Finch is ready for anything.

"We might have to get out heads around a T20 World Cup that might be postponed," Finch told SEN on Wednesday.

"A month, two months, three months. Whatever it has to be."

Roberts, who has cut his pay and that of his executive by 20 per cent, is seemingly prioritising a resolution with state associations before an ACA agreement.

But the clock is ticking as the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) spells out that CA must, by April 30, provide the ACA with a list of 2020-21 national contracts and revenue estimates.

The revenue-share model essentially dictates that players pocket 55 cents for every $2 that CA rakes in, meaning wages will automatically dip when times are tough.

The union has also proposed a percentage-based retainer option.

CA's revenue is yet to be savaged because of the health crisis but Roberts is projecting it to be cut in half this summer, with crowds unlikely to be allowed in even if the T20 World Cup and India's tour proceed.

"It would not be reasonable for us to say it's a 25 per cent reduction at Cricket Australia and we ask the players to bear a greater (pay-cut) burden than that," Roberts told SEN.

"What I've said to the players is whatever we ask of them, they can be assured that as CEO all I'm asking is they come with me.

"They won't be asked to go any deeper than what I do and what we do as an organisation."

Finch, believed to be one of the senior players contacted directly by Roberts last week, noted on Wednesday that "we're part of a revenue-share model, as players we ride the ups and downs with Cricket Australia".

"The players' association and Cricket Australia are working hard behind the scenes to get that dealt with," Finch said.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au