London, Dec. 27 (ANI): The Chief of Australian Cricketers’ Association, Paul Marsh, has predicted that world’s top cricketers would soon part ways from their national sides, and New Zealand players are most likely to set this trend.

Marsh’s comments come in the wake of a recent ACA survey which revealed that almost a quarter of Cricket Australia’s 25 contracted players would consider turning down national contracts next year to expand their playing options.

While Australian players are paid over one million Australian dollars a year by their association on the average, their Black Caps counterparts are paid far less. That’s why it becomes pretty clear why Marsh considers them at risk.

“Just think for a moment - your Dan Vettoris, Brendon McCullums and Jacob Orams are fetching, when compared to Aussie players, even more money in the IPL but yet they are earning far less from their national board,” he said.

“The risk here is that players, like the rest of us, are only human and they are being presented with this proposition of being paid more money from a different employer for a hell of a lot less work. Why would they not be looking into it?”

New Zealand’s highest paid cricketer has a central contract of roughly 170,000 dollars per year.

By signing any such deal the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) puts the player out of contention for lucrative cash on offer at overseas tournaments such as the Indian Premier League if the schedule clashes with that of the Black Caps.

“What the surveys are telling us and what we are hearing from the players, not just in Australia but around the world, is that unless we get the scheduling right, they will choose the IPL over international cricket. The future of international cricket is somewhat at risk right now,” Stuff.co.nz quoted Marsh, as saying.

“I’m not saying every player is going to go to the IPL but international cricket is supposed to be the best of the best and that’s at risk while we are forcing players to make the choice between playing in the IPL and international cricket. (ANI)