Cricket Australia’s national contract list announcement pushed back

Cricket Australia’s (CA) contract list announcement has been pushed back for at least a month as the sport continues its fight against the rising Coronavirus pandemic. The women’s list was about to be announced on Wednesday (April 1) while the men’s on Thursday (April 2). However, that plan has been put on hold until the end of April, given the uncertainty of the effect on the economy of the country due to the virus.      

The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has agreed with the move and women’s captain Meg Lanning endorsed the decision. “We’ve been communicating really well with Cricket Australia and the ACA, working together with them,” Lanning told reporters on Monday (March 30).  

“Given the uncertainty around what’s happening around the world at the moment, it makes sense to take a minute, take a breath and work out what we’re dealing with and what potential impacts it might have for the game moving forward. At the moment, it’s about waiting a little while for everyone to get the relevant information and is ready to move forward with that,” she added.

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In comparison to other country’s sporting codes, CA has avoided the worst of the financial impacts of the health crisis for the 2019-20 year. However, CA would be hit very hard if this summer’s men’s home Test series against India has an impact due to the Coronavirus.     

It is also possible the players could also face cuts just like those in the winter sports codes considering they are equal partners of the game. At an administration level, the board has already begun to prepare themselves for any financial losses.

The organisation’s executives have taken a pay cut, while a hiring freeze has been put in place. At a state level, the South Australia Cricket Association was forced to make 23 staff redundant last week.