Sponsorship dispute needs more time

Australia's ODI captain Ricky Ponting is confident that all parties will do their best to settle a dispute between players and the ICC over personal sponsors.

Players from several countries including Australia have refused to sign the International Cricket Council (ICC) agreements in their current form, raising doubts over the strength of next month's ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka.

The ICC has told national boards they must send their best teams to the prestigious event.

"We don't really know what to expect of it just yet," Ponting told Reuters on Friday.

"I mean the bottom line is, of course, no players don't want to play, everyone loves playing for their country.

"But obviously there are a few issues at the moment that need to be sorted out between different player associations and the ICC.

"I'm sure they'll do their best over the next couple of weeks to sort those things out."

RIVAL COMPANIES

The ICC has warned players threatening to boycott the Champions Trophy that they may have to decide whether to put cash ahead of country.

A statement from ICC chief executive Malcolm Speed this week is part of the war of words between cricket's world governing body and the players over sponsorship rights ahead of next month's tournament.

The ICC has signed up a string of official sponsors for the prestigious limited-overs event starting on September 12, dubbed the "mini World Cup", but some players have personal agreements with rival companies.

The ICC, though, is determined to protect its sponsors if competing firms try to cash in on the event through "ambush marketing".

Players feel their sponsorship rights have been signed away without consultation.

Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) chief executive Tim May said on Friday he had held positive talks with the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) over the issue.

"I'm confident the ACB and the ACA can develop as good a solution as we can get given the circumstances," May said.

"Hopefully that will act as a template that other playing associations and governing bodies can follow.

"Should a player need to break a contract or revert from advertising for a particular period, I don't think it's unrealistic that some dollars change hands from some governing bodies or the ICC."

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Players Must Chose Money or Country
Aussie Players Reject ICC Contract

Mail Cricket Editor