David Warner not happy with Cricket Australia

Timing is everything in cricket. Be it in batting, a wicket falling at a crucial time, timing is something which has been synonymous with cricket since its inception. And the Australian players have been at the receiving end of a wrong piece of timing, according to Australian vice-captain, David Warner. The issue in pay dispute has been around for some time now.

The Australian players and Cricket Australia have been at loggerheads throughout the duration. The players want the current method of revenue sharing removed wherein the players will get more than the current five years CBA plan. However, they will be getting a share in the international surplus while the domestic players will get fixed amounts. The method has been in use for around twenty years but the players demand a change.

The “Deadlock”

The issue has been in a deadlock for some time now but recently the negotiations resumed. However, the lead negotiator for the board and executive manager, Kevin Roberts released a video describing the system which the players want to keep as “unbalanced and unsustainable” for funding any forms of grass root cricket. The video has been described as “half-truths” of Cricket Australia by ACA. The timing of the video has been described as “poorly judged” by Warner with the Australian team needing to win against England on Saturday to qualify for the semi-finals.

“At the end of the day we’re here to win and if Cricket Australia want to try and help us win I think they wouldn’t be releasing videos like that. We have an important game coming up this week and that is our focus and the MoU can wait until after the game and the tournament. For us we’re just sticking here together as one and all the players around the country and as we’ve said we just want a fair share but leave it until after the games,” said Warner.

The new system constitutes an improvement in the terms of payment for female players at state and international level. So is the case with the International Men’s team, the domestic players, however, will be affected. The Australian Women’s captain, Meg Lanning is also keen for a concrete decision to be given. “All the players are behind a revenue-share model for all cricketers, and we’ve been able to stay really strong and we’ll continue to do that and hopefully there’s a resolution pretty soon,” she said.

Australia have not had the best of lucks in the ongoing Champions Trophy with two of their games ending in washouts; they will have to win against England who have already qualified for the semis.