Departing Australian Cricketers' Association CEO Paul Marsh said that Cricket Australia's "desire to pacify India has made it a follower rather than a leader on the world stage, with potential dire consequences for the international game," according to Chloe Saltau of THE AGE. Marsh also said Australia's star cricketers had "agreed to dip into their own pockets" -- to the tune of A$10.75M ($10M) over three years -- to "fund recommendations" of the Australian Cricketers' Association's "State of the Game" report -- the players' "answer to the Argus review." This will include A$870,000 a year to "help grade clubs retain experienced players and coaches." Marsh believes the governing body's "tendency to put financial considerations first has led to many decisions being compromised." Marsh: "I think CA has shown all too often that it will succumb to the threats of the BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] and every time they do this the BCCI gets stronger." He added, "Domestically, CA is by and large doing a good job and credit should be given to its leaders. Internationally, I see CA as a follower rather than a leader. This has meant their decisions are compromised by their desire not to upset the BCCI" (THE AGE, 8/5).
