Gilbert asks for more 'imaginative' contracts structure

As New South Wales prepare to make a final offer to Michael Bevan, David Gilbert, the chief executive of their cricket association, warned that players who lost their lucrative national contracts could bypass state cricket and retire unless a more "imaginative" salary structure was introduced.

Gilbert advocated a veteran's clause which would allow states to pay distinguished long-serving players more than the stipulated maximum salary of $90,000. New South Wales is currently battling to retain the services of Bevan, its alltime leading one-day and first-class run-scorer, with Tasmania believed to have made him a superior financial offer. Bevan has yet to commit to play for New South Wales next season after being offered the maximum state contract by them. Tasmania can offer Bevan more money because its package is believed to include the position of second XI coach.

Gilbert, who met Robert Joske, Bevan's manager, on Sunday, said he was awaiting feedback from some of his departments regarding potential appointments which might enable NSW to meet Bevan's financial requirements. "We haven't given up hope at the moment," Gilbert said. "Tasmania, I think by virtue of the fact of what they are offering, seem to have their nose in front."

All states are required to lodge their list of maximum salaried players with Cricket Australia by June 7. The states have an allocation of around $920,000 for player contracts and Gilbert thought that perhaps they should be allowed to decide on how much each individual should be paid rather than be stuck with a maximum figure. "For example, if you've got a Michael Bevan type you might be able to offer $150,000 and that might just mean at the lower end you don't offer as many contracts."

With the big gap between national and state contract salaries, Gilbert was worried that states would find it increasingly difficult to persuade elite players to remain in domestic cricket once they were dropped from the international arena.

"I think once the Shane Warnes and the Glenn McGraths and the Adam Gilchrists and Brett Lees and Ricky Pontings come off national contracts, I think unless we get a bit more imaginative with state payments we are probably just going to have to accept that these guys will quit international and state cricket at the same time."

He said he had already broached the idea of a veteran's clause with Cricket Australia and would like to see it included when a new Memorandum Of Understanding was drawn up prior to the start of the 2005-06 season. "You've got people earning money in the hundreds of thousands of dollars playing for their national team and for them to stay in the game playing state cricket, the rewards are very minor by comparison. We don't want to lose these players straight after they get dropped from the Australian team, because they've still got a lot to offer."

With Victoria refusing permission to talk to its left-arm fast bowler Mathew Inness, Gilbert said New South Wales was not pursuing any other interstate players.