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Years of simmering tensions between Australia's cricketers and the game's administrators have made a stand-off inevitable, according to Jim Maxwell.
Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association have failed to reach an agreement over a new pay deal, forcing the players into unemployment and the game into disarray.
On Thursday, the ACA confirmed the Australia A tour of South Africa would be cancelled as players refused to play for their country while the dispute remains unresolved.
Grandstand commentator Maxwell believes the relationship between the two parties has been strained for some time, and the players have long felt ignored and isolated by CA.
"It is no surprise, really. I think the relationship between the players and Cricket Australia has been on the edge for some time," Maxwell said.
"This pay dispute is a manifestation of a few things in the game. It has really rankled the players about the lack of partnership, that is what they are about.
"They feel they are not consulted enough on scheduling, on aspects of the game regarding the Sheffield Shield, you can write a list and unfortunately."
Maxwell says CA "can well afford" to give up some money to the "prime asset" — the players.
"The board, I don't know if they view them as players or employees," he said.
"It sounds like they view them as employees because they are not giving any ground.
"As they say in negotiation, if you want a bit you got to give a bit and neither side is giving anything which is a bad look for the game and the reputations of the people on both sides."
Of course, an Ashes series is scheduled for this summer and both parties have been clear in their hopes that it can go ahead as planned.
Maxwell says he is hopeful the situation will be resolved in time for the summer of cricket, but if it lingers on much longer, the public could start to get nervous and CA may suffer.
I would like to think there isn't [a cloud over the Ashes] and they will resolve it before then," he said.
"The interesting part of this, as a lot of people have said, the pubic are not on board with this either way — most are focusing on football.
"But when the cricket starts, it will hit home.
"If they haven't sorted it out by then, there are ramifications — contracts with Channel Nine, and sponsors want it sorted so they can get on involved in the business of the summer of cricket.
"We are getting to the pointy end of this and it needs to be sorted by a bit of give and take, some kind of compromise or mediation."
Topics: cricket, sport, australia
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