Financially weakened by the game's suspension due to COVID-19 pandemic, Cricket Australia (CA) is exploring all options to safeguard the upcoming home summer, where a lucrative home Test series against India is scheduled.
As of now, Australia's borders are sealed till September 30 to contain the spread of Coronavirus. The travel restrictions might jeopardize the country’s cricketing summer of 2020/21.
The stakeholders are expected to face approximately USD 300 million loss in TV revenue if the Border-Gavaskar Trophy gets called off.
Australian Test skipper Tim Paine is aware of the crisis and that's why knows how important it is for India to tour them.
“I think there’s a bit of safeguarding towards the potential of India not coming (on a tour in December/January) which is worth something like 250 to 300 million dollars. I’m hoping that they get here, that would solve a lot of issues,” Paine said on ABC Radio.
“I know there’s been some early talks with Cricket Australia and the government around the potential of what could be done, chartering planes and getting them in isolation when they get here to make sure that we can get India here,” he added.
Cricket Australia had earlier delayed the announcement of central contracts for its players amid the financial hit caused by the epidemic. The board is currently in talks with the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) about the matter.
Talking about the issue, Paine said players understand the situation and won’t be greedy but he asked CA to explain its financial position.
“Players need to know the absolute financial positions of the game and the players aren’t going to be greedy,” Paine said.
“Our livelihood, all the people associated with the ACA and the players association, their livelihood is dependent on the game of cricket being healthy.
“So at the moment if a pay cut for us is on the cards and that keeps our game thriving well into the future, then that’s something we’ll certainly have to look at.”
