Pay dispute negotiations move slowly

While Cricket Australia (CA) and Australia Cricketers’ Association (ACA) have sat down for negotiations after Saturday, the main point of contention, which is the revenue share model, is yet to be sorted.

According to the Canberra times, the pay dispute shows few signs of abating, with fears next month's Test tour of Bangladesh could yet be scrapped.

Players have welcomed Sutherland's participation after months of hankering but progress is said to be slow - at best.

On Wednesday night, CA said that the discussions were moving slowly and talks would resume on Thursday.

The talks resumed on the day that ACA commercial manager was due in India, where he will explore commercial opportunities for the unemployed cricketers.

Australia’s Test squad are scheduled to meet in Darwin on August 10 to start their preparations for the Bangladesh Test tour.

The cricketers had previously said that until a new Memorandum of Understanding is reached, there would not be an agreement.

Canberra times report that while the main game between CA and the ACA is to broker a new memorandum of understanding, the more likely option - should any resolution be found - is to sign off on an in-principle agreement. That would allow the tour to go ahead, with the first Test in Dhaka from August 27.

The Test players are unwilling to play in overseas series when fellow cricketers at home are out of contracts.

Australia are unlikely to play the one-day series in India if Bangladesh tour is scrapped.