Players' body lambasts CA for playing ''cash driven'' tri-series

Sydney, Sep 11 (UNI) Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) has lambasted their cricket board for taking part in the Malaysia tri-series, saying that it was done for ''financial gains''.

ACA chief Paul Marsh said cricket could suffer long-term pains from the short-term gains provided from cash-driven one-day tournaments.

''There is no doubt the major motivating factor for Cricket Australia agreeing to this series is financial,'' Marsh told Herald Sun.

''The majority of the public aren't excited by these types of tournaments and if Cricket Australia continues to agree to them when there is a good financial outcome offered up, we question what effect this will have on the long-term value of the product of cricket.

''Whilst the ACA supports growing the game's finances, there has to be a balance between the short and long term needs of the game,'' he said.

Marsh insisted player workload remained an issue and said increasing numbers of one-day matches could lead to burnout. He said the success of the Australian team was being placed in jeopardy because of scheduling.

''Our major concerns with series like this one are their lack of context and the ever-increasing workload burden placed on players.

''I'm sure we'd all hate to see Australia lose the Ashes or World Cup because of unnecessary player injuries caused by excessive workload,'' he said.

Cricket Australia has been promised 1.3 million dollar for each of two pool matches against India in the DLF Cup series that begins tomorrow in Malaysia.

Australia's booty from the Champions Trophy warm-up tournament, also involving the West Indies, could reach 3.9 million dollar if it plays in the final against India, the newpaper said.

It said about a quarter of Australia's windfall will flow back to the players and the rest will be ploughed into CA coffers.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, however, had defended the integrity of the series saying that the tournament was a significant step on the road to the Champions Trophy and the Ashes.

The cash incentives are on offer after broadcaster Zee TV paid a hefty price to telecast the event and a rich deal was struck with real estate company DLF, the tournament sponsor.

UNI XC PDS AY BD1608