The Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) has accused Cricket Australia (CA) of not being ‘fair’ in its approach to pay negotiations, which show little sign of being resolved.

For months, the two bodies have been at odds over remuneration for the players, with Friday’s midnight deadline set to arrive with no solution found.

That effectively leaves the country’s top performers unemployed, while Australia’s tour of Bangladesh in August has been thrown into doubt, as has the home Ashes series against England, which begins in November.

Cricket Australia released a statement on Friday declaring its disappointment in the ACA’s decision to reject an improved offer last week and the players’ association hit back, declaring its concern over leaving the game “in the worst state of uncertainty since the days of World Series Cricket”.