Queensland coach called out for ‘no play, no pay’ viewsOliver CaffreyAAPThu, 23 October 2025 9:38AM
Australia Cricketers’ Association boss Paul Marsh has expressed confusion at Queensland coach Johan Botha’s suggestion players shouldn’t be paid when they are injured.
The former South Africa spinner gave some provocative views when asked for his thoughts on the state of Australian cricket.
Botha thought some players weren’t doing enough to get back from injuries because they were still getting paid while absent.
“Players getting paid when they’re injured, I don’t think that helps Australian cricket,” the Bulls and Brisbane Heat coach told Code Sports.
“If you play a game and you miss the next five (Sheffield) Shield games and then you are out for selection, you get paid all the way through.
“I’m not sure that’s pushing players to play when it gets a bit tough and hard.”
Botha believes cricketers need to learn “to play through a bit of discomfort”.
“I’m not talking about stress fractures or broken fingers or things like that. I’m talking about little niggles,” he added.
Marsh would like to chat with Botha to better understand the comments.
” … on the surface this isn’t a position the ACA would support,” Marsh told AAP.
“If a worker is injured in any workplace, systems that protect them from being financially disadvantaged are commonplace.
“The nature of sport is that athletes are more commonly injured than other workers but the principle is still the same.
“Our system needs to support injured players.
“The insinuation here is that some players may not be doing all they can to return to play as quickly as possible.
“As I said, I’d like to understand Johan’s perspective on this, but I’d expect the playing group would strongly disagree with this.”
Botha represented the Proteas 123 times across all three formats between 2005 and 2012, before moving to Australia and playing for South Australia and three BBL franchises.
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