The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) revealed it will establish a player support fund for female and domestic cricketers as tensions continue to escalate during the pay dispute engulfing Australian cricket.On Thursday (May 18), the ACA announced it will set up a support fund for domestic and female cricketers who may be facing financial hardship. This comes hot on the heels after Cricket Australia (CA) threatened to not pay players when current contracts expire on June 30.CA and ACA have been stonewalling during negotiations and relations between the parties sunk further when a scheduled meeting on Wednesday (May 17) was canned. Australian cricketers have voiced their displeasure over CA’s bid to overhaul the current revenue sharing model leading to threats of a player boycott after June 30.Simon Katich, ACA player liaison manager, said the Women and Men Cricketers’ Assistance Plan would support those needing financial assistance. He said it would be accessed by out of contract female and domestic players, including rookies, until a new pay deal could be reached.“We are genuinely committed to getting a deal done before June 30,” he said. “Unfortunately, however, the players and CA still appear to be a long way apart in the current negotiations, especially given CA are now refusing mediation. And with CA’s threat last week saying that they would effectively lock-out the players after June 30, it looks as though this impasse may continue for some time yet.“The players continue to be united with the ACA and are up for the fight when it comes to having the Revenue Sharing Model for all players – male, female, national and domestic,” he added. “There is no doubt that there is a degree of uncertainty about what lies ahead given June 30 is fast approaching, so whatever can be done to ease some of the pressure on the players is welcome.”Taken from CricBuzz
