Players pleased with increased priority

The New Zealand Cricket Players' Association (NZCPA) is pleased with the increase priority and focus given to negotiations with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) and the Major Associations.

Spokesman for the NZCPA Heath Mills said: "Progress has been positive. Each meeting increases the parties' understanding of the issues and the factors underlying the parties' respective positions.

"The New Zealand Cricket bargaining team has now proposed a settlement offer and the players will be giving that due consideration over the following week.

"We aim to have a response in writing to New Zealand Cricket on Friday, October 18.

"That response will be reasoned.

"In the meantime the players' position for October will remain and we continue to work hard on reaching an agreement which is fair and reasonable to all parties," he said.

Mills said there would be no further comment from the NZCPA.