ACA-CA pay dispute | Australian cricketers lose 1.2 million AUD in salaries

The Australian Cricketers Association(ACA) confirmed last week that there had been no further developments in the pay dispute that had resulted in more than 200 Australian cricketers becoming unemployed. Following the news, the Hindustan Times has reported that the players have lost 1.2 million AUD in salaries after no new Memorandum Of Understanding(MOU) was signed between the ACA and CA before the termination of contracts on June 30.

According to reports in stuff.com.au, Cricket Australia has transferred the amount to the grassroots of the game.

Meanwhile, it was reported that cricketers Mitchell Starc and Usman Khwaja have been offered sponsorship deals by Toyota's rival car manufacturing companies. Toyota is the vehicle sponsors of Cricket Australia and Pat Howard, the Australian team manager, had earlier sent emails to the players warning them that the players would not be offered new contracts if they signed deals with rival sponsors.

However, the only development that came as good news for the Australian cricket fans was the active participation of CA CEO James Sutherland which has raised hopes of the dispute finally reaching a resolution.

“The increased involvement of CA CEO James Sutherland has been pleasing. A better understanding has been established on both parties’ positions,” Nicholson said.

Former Australian skipper Micheal Clarke has suggested CA renew the contracts as per the old MOU until a resolution agreed by both parties is reached while commentator and former captain Mark Taylor has called for a compromise. The Australian Cricketers Association has established a support fund for financially helping the Australian cricketers until the dispute is resolved and it was reported that the fund has received heavy contibutions from various known and unknown entities.