Ashes player strike won't happen: Lehmann
May 18, 2017 - 2:11 AM Darren Lehmann is confident cricket's pay dispute won't lead to a player boycott of the Ashes but the Australian coach has urged both sides to find a resolution.A former president of the Australian Cricketers' Association, Lehmann admitted the tense stand-off over a new memorandum of understanding would prove a distraction at next month's ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales.
But he said he was sure the situation would not worsen to the point where Australian players would go on strike for the Ashes, as flagged by David Warner.
"No, I wouldn't think so," Lehmann said on Thursday in Brisbane.
"And I'd hope not as a fan. I'm sure that won't happen."
Warner said earlier this week players were refusing to back down from their demand that Cricket Australia keep the current revenue-sharing pay arrangement and cautioned they might walk out on the Ashes if relations between the two parties strained further.
With Cricket Australia threatening to not pay players when current contracts expire on June 30, the ACA has set up a support fund for domestic and female cricketers who may be facing financial hardship.
It follows the governing body's refusal on Wednesday to enter mediation with the ACA.
"We are genuinely committed to getting a deal done before June 30 ... (but) it looks as though this impasse may continue for some time yet," ACA Player Liaison Manager Simon Katich said.
"Whatever can be done to ease some of the pressure on the players is welcome."
All contracts for female and international male cricketers expire on June 30 along with half of the domestic male players.
Lehmann said he would address the matter once the entire squad for the Champions Trophy had got together.
"You have to do that. You have to keep it open and communication so we know what direction everyone's going," he said.
"Every sport has (these issues), to be perfectly honest - there's sports around Australia having them now.
"There's no panic, it's just about the two parties getting together."
Lehmann was asked for his view on the merits of the revenue-sharing arrangement but declined to share it.
He said he had been in constant contact with skipper Steve Smith, who will be one of the last players to join the Champions Trophy squad after he guided Rising Pune Supergiant to the Indian Premier League final on Monday.
"We've spoken quite a lot, on many issues at the moment," Lehmann said.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Ashton Agar all grown up since Ashes debut Dec 30
- All eyes on SCG pitch for the Ashes finale Dec 30
- In-form Smith setting new benchmark: Cook Dec 30
- Cook eyes big Ashes finish in Australia Dec 30
- Insatiable Smith continues dominant Ashes Dec 30
- MCG pitch not good for anyone: Smith Dec 30
- Mitch Marsh has come a long way: Smith Dec 30
- Aussies bat out draw in fourth Ashes Test Dec 30
- Warner falls short of record-breaking ton Dec 29
- Khawaja fires back at 'bizarre' criticism Dec 29
- Agar drafted into Test squad for SCG clash Dec 29
- Reverse-swing to decide fourth Ashes Test Dec 29