Cricket Australia left me no choice, says Arthur

Perth - Former Australia coach Mickey Arthur has said that Cricket Australia (CA) left him no option but to take legal action over his sudden axing from the coaching position.

The 45-year-old was sacked in June just weeks before the Ashes series against England began and was replaced by former Austalian batsman Darren Lehhman.

Arthur’s contract with CA was to run until 2015. He then filed a case with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in Sydney, demanding $4 million in compensation or reinstatement as coach.

“After my dismissal, I received nothing in writing from Cricket Australia, no contact, and no payment at all, not even of my basic leave pay, until I was forced to bring in lawyers to assist in the process. The damage to my reputation and career has been immense, which means the chances of me getting a senior job are that much less,” Arthur was quoted saying in the Sydney Morning Herald.

Much has been speculated that Arthur was sacked after opening batsman David Warner was suspended until the first Ashes Test and fined 7,000 pounds for punching English batsman Joe Root in a bar following Australia’s defeat by England in the Champions Trophy.

“I am told that David Warner’s conduct was the last straw for the board. I received no hearing at all over that issue, and no one was doing more to improve discipline in the young Australian team than I was,” he added.

Conciliatory talks between Arthur and CA are planned to take place in Sydney in Wednesday.