Australia’s Ashes series against England, due to start in November, could be in doubt over a contractual disagreement between the Australian Cricket Board and the country’s elite players.
In March, Cricket Australia proposed salary increases for men and women, but this would mean players no longer receive a percentage of CA’s revenue. The offer was rejected and CA said it would not be paying players after 30 June. Vice-captain David Warner has given a warning that, if a resolution isn’t found, Australia may not have a team in place for the Ashes.
That June 30 deadline also falls smack in the middle of the Women’s World Cup, which takes place in England between June 24 and July 23, and Australia’s elite female players have shown solidarity with their male counterparts over the dispute despite CA’s March offer to double the elite women’s pay.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes the dispute could be the first of many to affect the international game but has some sympathy for Australia’s players;
“I’ve never seen it to this level. It’s sad for the game when you’re hearing this but I don’t think it will be the last case of players getting together as groups. There’s so much money coming through TV deals, I think players will say ‘we fancy a piece of that’. International boards have got to put their hands in their pockets to save international cricket. In our day, international cricket was the sole money-maker for the game but the Twenty20 leagues are catching up.”
Australia are Paddy Power’s 4/6 to regain the Ashes over the coming winter and when you become a new customer of Paddy Power via online-betting.me.uk you automatically receive a free £30 bet. This activated when you place a minimum stake of £10 with minimum odds of 1.50 (1/2). When that is done Paddy Power will give you 3 free bets of £10 each (3 x £10). This offer is only valid for new customers and the free bets will be valid for 30 days.
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England are currently a best 13/5 to win the Ashes series with the draw available at 13/2.
