Peter Handscomb feels domestic cricketers deserve a better wage

Peter Handscomb is a test format specialist for the baggy greens. Debuting in last November, he has played eight matches till now. But he is worried about the game’s long-term future. He feels that each and every player “should be treated equally.”

Very recently, Cricket Australia (CA) devised a new payment model. Under that model, the players of Sheffield Shield would be excluded from the set percentage model for the first time ever in history, since its introduction two decades ago in 1997. Players rejected the new payment model, which lead to the re-opening of discussions between Cricket Australia (CA) and Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA).

Handscomb feels it is necessary to retain the current financial model before the negotiations end on 30th of June. Handscomb said on Friday “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.”

Peter Handscomb justifies his opinion

He further added “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.”

With the domestic players’ being subjected to ignorance, Handscomb feels that players might be more interested in playing T20 cricket now. He said, “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.”

Very recently the ACA lodged a formal request with Cricket Australia for a fresh negotiation. Kangaroos’ squad departs for England for the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 on the 18th of May. In the tournament, they are placed in Group A alongside hosts England, neighbors New Zealand and Bangladesh. Players will have to compete in the tournament, as it falls under the current financial model. However, if no change in brought to the new proposed payment model, we might see players opting for not promoting next summer’s Ashes series against England.