Cricket Victoria coach Andrew McDonald feels for the public in what’s been labelled an “unprecedented” pay dispute between the players and Cricket Australia.
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It was confirmed on Wednesday that the Australia A tour to South Africa will be abandoned due to failed negotiations between the parties – making it the first time in Australia's cricketing history that players have boycotted a tour.
The Border product admits it has had a big impact within the state system and would hate to see Australia’s scheduled tour to Bangladesh and The Ashes on home soil suffer the same fate.
“It affects us because our players are involved and our administration is involved as well,” McDonald said.
“At the moment the players are still training and preparing for a season as they would.
“Hopefully the resolution is found soon because obviously the public are the ones that suffer the most if The Ashes didn’t go ahead.
“Not just The Ashes, but also Bangladesh because it’s important for them to have the Australian cricket team tour there for their game development as well.
“This is probably the first time in the 20 years the ACA (Australian Cricketers’ Association) has been in existence that the players haven’t been able to come to an agreement with Cricket Australia.
“Hopefully it's resolved and we can get on with doing what we do well and that’s play cricket.”
McDonald has been back in town this week as part of the Diamonds in the Bush program, where Cricket Victoria hopes to unearth some future talent.
“Country cricket has always contributed a lot of players to the state system and national system, so it’s an important investment from us to get out here,” he said.
McDonald has enjoyed his time at the helm in Victoria so far and has had instant success, taking the Bushrangers to Sheffield Shield title last summer.
But as for the future, he admits he’s not one to look too far ahead.
“I’ve been to England and coached over there and I probably didn’t think two years ago I’d be in the Bushrangers’ role,” McDonald said.
“I don’t think there’s any direct coaching pathway and I’m really enjoying working with the Bushrangers and that’s my sole focus at the moment.
“Whatever happens in five years time will happen.”
Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
