Ashes in danger of being reportedly scrapped even if pay deal is reached | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Ashes in danger of being reportedly scrapped even if pay deal is reached

Agence France-Presse, Sydney | ByAgence France-Presse
Jul 22, 2017 05:16 PM IST

Australia’s cricketers, who are involved in a bitter pay dispute with Cricket Australia, have been reportedly warned that the 2017/18 Ashes could be scrapped even if a new pay deal is reached

Australia’s cricketers have been warned this year’s Ashes series could be scrapped, even if a new pay deal is reached with the game’s governing body, reports said on Saturday.

The 2017/18 Ashes, slated to begin in November, might be reportedly scrapped even if a new pay deal is reached between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricket Association.(Getty Images)
The 2017/18 Ashes, slated to begin in November, might be reportedly scrapped even if a new pay deal is reached between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricket Association.(Getty Images)

Australian Cricketers Association chief Alistair Nicholson has warned the players via email the showpiece Test series against England, due to begin in Brisbane on November 23, is under threat.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Negotiations over a new Memorandum of Understanding between players and Cricket Australia have all but broken down, although Nicholson and CA counterpart James Sutherland are scheduled to meet on Sunday, Fairfax Media said.

“If there is agreement, the next step would be the more intensive MOU and contract drafting period,” Nicholson told the players in an email, seen by Fairfax Media.

“Given past experience and the massive detail involved, this would take some time and still may not be completed with time enough to meet the needs of fans, sponsors and broadcasters invested in the upcoming tours and the (Australian) summer of cricket. I add that it is hard to conceive of any further flexibility the players could possibly offer in these negotiations.”

Cricket Australia said it was surprised and perplexed by the ACA’s claims but would not comment on key details. Australia’s next series is a Test tour of Bangladesh in August. While the Ashes are almost four months away, much preparation, including broadcast inventory and sponsorship and advertising deals, must be locked in far earlier, Fairfax Media said.

It added that the players had thought the two parties had reached common ground since Sutherland joined negotiations earlier this month. After months of negotiations, the players and CA have failed to reach agreement on a new pay deal, leaving 230 cricketers unemployed since the end of June when their contracts expired.

In an escalation of the protracted pay dispute, the players, through their union the ACA, decided to boycott this month’s Australia A tour of South Africa.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Catch all the Latest RCB Unbox 2024 LIVE, Cricket News, Live Cricket Score and IPL 2024 Schedule, match updates along with Cricket Schedule, Purple Cap in IPL 2024, Orange Cap in IPL 2024 and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On