Emerging Australian Test batsman Peter Handscomb has leapt into cricket's pay debate, declaring all players should be treated equally and raising fears long-form players could be lost to Twenty20 should the current financial model not be retained.
The majority of the public discourse in this latest battle over a new memorandum of understanding has been done by the chiefs of the Australian Cricketers' Association and Cricket Australia, with individual players rarely wading in.
But Handscomb, on county duty in England, has spoken his mind at a time when the clock ticks on a new deal being negotiated by June 30.
"It's about being a partner in the game. It's huge for the players. We all feel we have a genuine role in growing cricket. We're putting ourselves out there in public, playing and promoting the game all the time. The revenue-share model helps us feel that we're really part of the successes or failures," he said.
"That includes the players going on a dip with Cricket Australia if revenue falls for whatever reason. That's what partnership is all about. We all want cricket to be the best it can be and that means that if things don't go well for a period of time, we all should share the hit. On the other side, if it does grow, it's a partnership that rewards everyone, including grassroots and all the other levels of cricket in the country."
Discussions between the ACA and CA reopened this week after the players last month rejected a new payment model under which Sheffield Shield players would be excluded from the set-percentage model for the first time since it was introduced in 1997. International male and female players will only share in the model provided there are surplus funds.
At stake is more than $400 million over the next five years. Players also suggest CA's offer "short changes" them by $128 million compared to what was claimed in the player-payment pool.
"Every player should be treated equally, from the internationals down to the domestic players because, ultimately, we get all our international players from the domestic ranks," Handscomb said.
"If they get treated fairly, they're going to be training hard and doing the right things. Also, it's a great advertisement for the game if the domestic players are getting what they deserve. I think part of the effect is that people who might choose football over cricket, or rugby over cricket, for instance, might be more likely to stick with cricket and make the player pool stronger.
"Playing in Twenty20 leagues is a real possibility for a lot of players now. The T20 circuit is a reality now, all the tournaments sort of follow each other. If you want to go down that path, you can. But I think if the domestic players in Australia are being treated fairly, then I think they'll want to stay and do their best to play for Australia."
Australia's one-day squad leaves on Thursday for England to contest the Champions Trophy. As this tournament falls under the current MOU, there is little they can do to protest the impasse, but they could opt to not promote next summer's Ashes series.
Handscomb, tipped to be Victoria's new shield captain, said the players remained united behind the ACA.
