Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has dismissed the players' demand for a pay-hike for the hectic international schedule that awaits them next season, saying the increased workload follows a "holiday period" due to postponements in the past one year.
"There is some give and take here. We will work with the ACA (union) to manage the workload and commitments of players, but as to the reasons we are in this situation, there are three tours that have been postponed from earlier dates, which means that players have had significant breaks as well over the last 12 to 18 months," Sutherland was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.
The Australian cricketers are currently in negotiation with CA for a pay-hike to compensate for the almost 11 months they are likely to stay away from home next season.
Sutherland said the players should not forget that they enjoyed an extended holiday due to the postponement of tours like the one to Pakistan. He said the commitments will have to be fulfilled now.
"The players have had more of a holiday or a rest in that time than they would have otherwise had. Now these tours are coming up and it's far from ideal. We want to be keeping players fresh.
"The last thing we want is for players to be carrying injuries or fatigue," he said, assuring that CA would work out a plan to avoid a burn-out situation.
Australian players' schedule for the next 18 months includes three visits to Pakistan -- for a rescheduled Test and one-day tours and the Champions Trophy -- both of which were delayed because of security threats.
Players are also seeking some relaxation from the hectic promotional activities they have to do for CA sponsors but Sutherland insisted that star players have a responsibility towards promoting the game in the country.
"It is a huge issue but this is one of the challenges we face. We don't have 400 players running around like some football codes, so the burden of public exposure is quite high. That is a good thing because it gives them the opportunity for commercial exposure," he said.
