Australian Cricketers Consider SA20 Over BBL Amid Salary Concerns
Concerns Over Salary Disparities
Top Australian cricketers, including Test captain Pat Cummins, are reportedly contemplating participation in South Africa's SA20 league instead of the Big Bash League (BBL) in 2028 due to ongoing concerns regarding salary disparities. A recent report indicates that these players expect to earn around $1 million each to remain in the BBL. Notably, prominent fast bowlers like Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Cummins turned down invitations to join The Hundred this year, as it would have clashed with an upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Had they accepted, each would have earned $800,000.
The report highlights that Australian players are earning significantly more in international T20 leagues compared to the BBL. Cricket Australia is considering eliminating the BBL draft system, which has faced criticism since its inception in 2022, allowing foreign players to earn $20 million. Former CA chief executive Malcolm Speed emphasized the need for equitable pay, stating, "There’s a premium for international players in the BBL – they get about $100,000 more than the top Australian players. Get rid of that. The Australians deserve to be paid as much as everyone else."
Looking ahead, Australia is set to host Sri Lanka in February and Pakistan from mid-December to early January in the summer of 2027-2028. Cricket Australia is currently working on the schedule to ensure that veteran players like Cummins, who hasn't participated in the BBL since 2019, are available.
Cummins, who is currently playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League, noted that while Australian players are currently prioritizing international cricket over lucrative T20 league offers, this trend may not last indefinitely. He remarked, "Obviously, a big Ashes series – all the main guys want to play that series. For example, during the Hundred this season we’ve got two Test matches against Bangladesh. All our guys that will play in that Test match have opted out of going to the Hundred auction, but that’s not going to be the case forever."
He further added, "Some of our guys are saying no to half a million pounds for 20 days’ work to go and play those two Test matches against Bangladesh. I think it is a tension point. At the moment, our guys are so keen to play for Australia that they’re happy to forgo that, but I don’t think we can accept that that is going to be the case forever."
The privatization plan for the BBL was recently stalled after Queensland and New South Wales rejected Cricket Australia's initial proposal.