Australia A South Africa tour amid pay dispute

Sports Desk: Australia A will not tour South Africa this month after an unprecedented player boycott, sparked by a bitter pay dispute with Cricket Australia (CA).

The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) confirmed the tour would not go ahead, as negotiations with CA failed to make any progress.

It is the first time in history Australia's cricket players have boycotted a tour.

The ACA said it was "with great frustration" the call was made, but the decision was made "in support of more than 200 male and female players who are now unemployed".

"All players are deeply disappointed at the behaviour of CA which forces this course of action, given the players would rather be playing for their country," the ACA statement read.



"CA refuse to attend mediation or offer any genuine flexibility in the MOU [memorandum of understanding] negotiations. And without mediation it's hard to see how there can be the progress necessary to reach agreement.

"The players want to make sure all men and women who play the game are treated fairly, and that grassroots funding is not drained by a top-heavy bureaucracy."

The ACA said the decision by the players to boycott the tour, which would have given valuable experience to what is effectively Australia's second XI, was an "incredibly selfless act that shows their strength and overall commitment to the group".

The boycott marked the most serious action taken by the ACA and the players in the dispute to date, with players actively choosing not to play in Australian colours.

Agencies


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