Several Australia’s top red-ball players, including Cummins, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green opted out of The Hundred to remain available for the two-Test home series against Bangladesh in August.
While Australia’s white-ball players such as Tim David, Adam Zampa and Mitchell Marsh are set to feature in England’s 100-ball tournament, the Test regulars chose country over franchise money.
According to Cummins, that decision has come at a major financial cost.
“When there’s an Ashes, naturally a lot of players want to be there. But this time, the two Tests against Bangladesh fall during The Hundred. Those who are going to play the Tests have pulled out of The Hundred draft,” Cummins said on the Business of Sport podcast.
“A few of our players are turning down offers of nearly £500,000 for 20 days’ work. They’re basically doing that to play two Tests against Bangladesh. That feels like a concern. It’s only growing.”
The Australia Test captain said the willingness to prioritise the Baggy Green remains strong for now, but he is not convinced that will always be the case in the future as franchise leagues continue to expand and pay heavily.
“Our players are still so keen to play for Australia that they’re willing to give up that money. But you can’t just assume that will always be the case in the future.”
Australia do not play Bangladesh in Tests very often, making the upcoming series notable in itself. It will be Bangladesh’s first Test tour of Australia since 2003, with the first Test set for Darwin on August 13 and the second in Mackay from August 22.
