Ashes strike warning over Oz pay row

Australia's cricketer's union urged a swift resolution to a damaging pay dispute on Monday to avoid any strike disruption to this year's Ashes series.

Cricket Australia last week threatened not to pay contracted players beyond the June 30 expiry of their current financial deal if they didn't accept a new offer. The robust statement prompted warnings of a strike, with pace spearhead Mitchell Starc tweeting: "Makes for an interesting men's and women's ashes..." Shane Watson added his support by tweeting: "Well said @mstarc56. It will be an interesting game of cricket without any players."