Steven Smith voices support to ACA in ongoing pay dispute with CA

CA and ACA are likely to begin the talks on the MoU from Monday.

With Cricket Australia (CA) and Australian Cricket Association (ACA) yet to arrive at a decision regarding the revenue share model, skipper Steven Smith posted a lengthy message supporting ACA to retain the revenue-share model of players’ payment. Many senior cricketers have already resorted to various alternatives using the tag ‘unemployment’ through their social media accounts. Smith himself was seen trying his hands with baseball. Australia ‘A’ tour of South Africa was boycotted on Friday with regards to CA-ACA pay dispute. Smith has made his intentions very clear through his message on Instagram where he has reaffirmed that players will not support CA on modifying the revenue share model. CA-ACA pay dispute: Players boycott Australia ‘A’ tour of South Africa

I’ll say what we as players have been saying for some time now: we are not giving up the revenue sharing model for all players. But, through the ACA we are willing to make important changes to modernise the existing model for the good of the game. We are and have always been willing to make those changes. Changes for how the model can be adapted for the even greater benefit of grass roots cricket, which is after all where we all started. We are determined to keep revenue sharing for all because we must take care of domestic players in Australia. As leaders that’s what David, Meg, Alex and I have been fighting for: a fair share for state players who are also partners in cricket. I know from my career that when I was dropped in 2011 if I didn’t have a strong domestic competition to go back to, I certainly wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in today. State players need to be taken care of financially so the domestic competition will always be strong which in turn keeps us strong at the International level. Also as Women’s cricket gets bigger and bigger in Australia women players must also be able to share in what they will be earning. They must have the same chances and incentives to grow the game as the men have had since revenue sharing started. And I know I speak for all of the men that we want women cricketers in the one deal with the men as well. It’s time to get a deal done. It should be and can be an exciting time for the game.

A post shared by Steve Smith (@steve_smith49) on Jul 8, 2017 at 3:18pm PDT

His message also reaffirmed that their stance was to support men’s and women’s domestic cricket. “I’ll say what we as players have been saying for some time now: we are not giving up the revenue sharing model for all players. But, through the ACA we are willing to make important changes to modernise the existing model for the good of the game. Changes for how the model can be adapted for the even greater benefit of grass roots cricket, which is after all where we all started. We are determined to keep revenue sharing for all because we must take care of domestic players in Australia,” Smith wrote.

Smith also felt that Women’s cricket deserved its fair share of reward. “Also as women’s cricket gets bigger and bigger in Australia women players must also be able to share in what they will be earning. They must have the same chances and incentives to grow the game as the men have had since revenue sharing started,” he concluded.

Upon reading the message, CA spokesperson respected the skipper’s stance. “CA respects that players are entitled to express their opinion and remains 100 per cent focused on reaching a resolution to the MOU as soon as possible,” the CA spokesperson said.

CA and ACA are likely to begin the talks on the MoU from Monday.

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