Tim Paine Reckons That Australian Players Wouldn't Be Greedy If Asked To Take Pay Cut

Australian Test captain Tim Paine has come out in support of him and his team coping with pay cuts in the wake of the global pandemic that is COVID-19.

With the onslaught of coronavirus putting a plethora of high profile tournaments including the ICC T20 World Cup and several other bilateral tournaments, the world of cricket is staring at a massive financial crunch.

Cricket Australia has already laid off 80 percent of its working staff and is talks with Australian cricketers association with regards to the salary cut of its players.

Commenting on the same, Tim Paine, in an interview with ABC Radio said that the players understand the absolute financial position of the game and they aren’t going to be greedy, as far as salary cut is concerned.

“Players need to know the absolute financial positions of the game and the players aren’t going to be greedy,” Tim Paine, Australian Test captain said on ABC Radio.

Also Read: Tim Paine opens on Cricket Australia’s Contingency Plans

Tim Paine on the prospect of Australian players coping salary cuts

Paine further said that the livelihood of everyone involved depends on the game of cricket being at the pink of its health and if enduring pay cuts can ensure that, then it would certainly be a problem for the players.

He added “Our livelihood, all the people associated with the CA 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,” Paine said.

Tim Paine said that he is not surprised at the fact that Cricket Australia is facing a financial crunch, considering the fact that a lot of sponsors have been hit pretty hard.

“I think commercially a lot of sponsors have been pretty hard hit and it’s obviously going to hit Cricket Australia at some stage then as well,” Paine said.

“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,” he added.

Cricket Australia might lose as many ad 300 million dollars it the Indian tour does not go ahead and is exploring at various other options, including playing all the Tests at a single venue and behind closed doors, to ensure that the series sees the light of the day.

Also Read: Tim Paine Hits Back At Michael Clarke’s IPL Contracts Comments