Cricket Australia's warnings about its finances taking a hit due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been questioned by the country's players' association which has said the game's position remains positive.
Last month, Cricket Australia (CA) had already put 80 percent of its staff on 20 percent salary till end of June, while a handful of others, including the executives, remained on 80 percent pay.
"Cricket is yet to suffer a significant negative revenue event associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The financial position of cricket is therefore very positive relative to Australia's winter sports," Australian Cricketers Association (ACA) chief executive Alistair Nicholson wrote in an email to members according to ESPNcricinfo.
"The players express their support for staff at CA who have been stood down on 20 percent of their wages and wish them a speedy return to full-time work."
Nicholson added, "Cricket is able to express an optimistic and confident posture about its capacity to weather the pandemic, and has the opportunity to put in place effective plans for cricket to be played this summer. With this, cricket's financial position will likely remain positive."
"United and coordinated, cricket is well-placed to make the most of the opportunities which will emerge as the COVID-19 pandemic eases and more normal life resumes."