COVID-19 pandemic: Handscomb reflects on reports that players may have to take a pay cut

Handscomb is also hopeful the Twenty20 World Cup would proceed as planned later this year, citing signs other Australian sports were preparing to end COVID-19-related suspensions.

Sydney: Middle-order Australian batsman Peter Handscomb on Thursday responded to the reports that the Aussie players may have to take a 25% cut in their wages.

When asked about the pay cut, he said, "Mate, I don't really know. And it's, you know, I'm not really privy to a lot of those conversations, even being a delegate. You know, we as players, we trust the ACA (Australian Cricketers Association) and what they do for us. But there are other things in play before we get to players pay cut. And like you said, the revenue share model. And then there are a few other ones as well. So and basically, it's said it's back in the ACA and once we get that information from Cricket Australia, then we'll be able to make a more informed opinion and we can know more about what we can do."

Handscomb is also hopeful the Twenty20 World Cup would proceed as planned later this year, citing signs other Australian sports were preparing to end COVID-19-related suspensions.

All sports including cricket are currently on hold in Australia and strict travel restrictions have cast doubt on whether the 16-nation tournament will go ahead in October and November.

But Australia's success in containing the virus has seen the National Rugby League and Australian rules competitions working on plans to resume matches.

"Looking at what other sports are trying to do at the moment, it's great to see the football codes in Australia are looking to get back soon at least to training," Handscomb told reporters.

"They're going to try to start their seasons end of May, June-July. That could set a real good precedent for sport in Australia coming into our summer."

Handscomb conceded the international nature of the T20 tournament made it a more complicated proposition than domestic sporting contests, but said the signs were positive.

Australia's T20 captain Aaron Finch also believed the showpiece event would go ahead, even if it was delayed and played behind closed doors.

"I think we might have to get our heads around a T20 World Cup that might be postponed for a month, two months, three months, whatever it has to be," Finch told a Radio station on Wednesday.

"But as long as we can get live sport up and running. Whether that's with crowds or not, I don't think that makes any difference to the players."

International Cricket Council officials are holding a conference call on Thursday to discuss the international schedule.

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar suggested this week that India could host the World Cup if Australia continues to bar foreigners because of the virus.