Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland had claimed the dispute should be settled in arbitration ©Getty Images

Suggestions that the ongoing pay dispute and contract row in Australian cricket should be resolved through arbitration have been dismissed by the association representing the players at the centre of the disagreement.

Cricket Australia (CA) chief executive James Sutherland claimed arbitration was the only way to settle the conflict between his organisation and the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA).

Sutherland said players could be signed to short-term contracts should this be implemented.

The ACA, however, believe mediation should be used to attempt to end the impasse, which has left 230 players unemployed and has threatened the upcoming Ashes series against England.

The body claim arbitration is a process "more suited to the courtroom".

"Without the presence of the CA chief executive, the ACA has for three months been calling for independent mediation to resolve the dispute between the Australian Cricketers Association and Cricket Australia," the ACA said in a statement.

"In the event of no agreement being reached, the ACA believes mediation is the right process to resolve the dispute because it is non-adversarial, voluntary and faces no jurisdictional constraints.

"This means both parties with the assistance of an independent mediator work together to fashion an agreed resolution.

"This is important because a mutually agreed outcome will be better for the future of the game rather than a decision imposed by a third party."

A temporary deal was agreed to allow Australia to compete at the Women's World Cup in England and Wales ©Getty Images
A temporary deal was agreed to allow Australia to compete at the Women's World Cup in England and Wales ©Getty Images

The row has already forced the cancellation of the Australia A cricket team's tour of South Africa, which had been scheduled to begin on July 12.

The Australians were due to play two four-day matches against their hosts.

They were then set to play a three-way one-day series against South Africa and India.

Contracts for more than 200 players who represent the men’s and women’s national sides and state teams expired on June 30.

New deals proposed by CA have not been signed by the players over an objection to the removal of an element which gave them a share of the governing body’s profits.

CA bosses claim a pay-rise offered to the cricketers means they would be earning more, but the ACA claim they will actually receive less money.

The organisation have stated they “regret” the decision taken by the players, asserting that progress had been made in talks with the ACA.