Former Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur breaks silence on law suit

SACKED Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur has spoken for the first time since details of his law suit with Cricket Australia were leaked.

CRICKET Australia has responded to sacked Australia cricket coach Mickey Arthur's comment that he had "no option" other than to launch legal action against the organisation.

In a statement released late on Sunday night (AEST), CA said: "Cricket Australia stands by its earlier statements on this matter and disputes a number of claims made by Mickey Arthur today."

"We will not be articulating these disputes publicly except to say that we are confident in our legal position, are comfortable with the level of support provided to Mickey and look forward to resolving this matter in an appropriate manner.

Speaking at Perth Airport after arriving home from Johannesburg Sunday, Arthur said he was disappointed that details of the legal dispute were made public.

Last week details of a $4 million law suit by Arthur against Cricket Australia were leaked.

Reading a written statement, Arthur said: "It's very unfortunate that my private dispute with Cricket Australia was made public by others.

Mickey Arthur

"Due to the sensitive matters involved I had taken extensive steps in co-operation with the Fair Work Commission to keep the case entirely confidential.

"Selective leaks by others have ruined my attempts to protect the Australian cricket team and everyone involved."

Arthur said no one associated with him had released the confidential document.

He also said Cricket Australia failed to notify him in writing of his dismissal or pay him out properly, despite efforts of contacting senior level management for days.

"After my dismissal, I received nothing in writing from Cricket Australia, no contact and no payment at all, even on my basic leave pay, until I was forced to bring in lawyers to assist in the process," Arthur said.

"I was really trying for a private resolution that would not have any collateral damage to the reputation of any of us."

Arthur said he thought "perhaps naively" that Cricket Australia would have talks with him in "good faith".

"Sadly this hasn't happened and here we are today," he said.

"I never wanted to launch legal action, but Cricket Australia simply left me no option."

Arthur claimed Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland even told him he was being made a "scapegoat."

Mickey Arthur

"I find that a totally unfair basis to end my career, the damage to my reputation and career has been immense," he said.

"Which means the chances of me getting another senior job are that much less."

Arthur said he was shocked and devastated by his sacking and had met all job requirements.

"I'm told that David Warner's conduct was the last straw for the board, I received no hearing at all for that issue," he said.

"No one was doing more to improve discipline in this young Australian cricket team than I was."

The former coach said he still wanted to resolve the matter on a "fair and just basis" and for mediation talks on Wednesday to be productive.

Arthur declined to answer questions and finished his statement by wishing the Australian team the best of luck in the Ashes.

According to documents lodged with Fair Work Australia, Arthur claims he was sacked because of racism and that he was caught in a bitter feud between team captain Michael Clarke and Shane Watson.

Arthur was appointed coach in November 2011 and since that time Australia has struggled with inconsistent performances and some off-field controversies.

Warner was suspended after punching England opener Joe Root at a pub prior to the Ashes.

Australia has won 10 of 19 Tests, 18 of 39 ODIs and seven of 16 T20s with Arthur at the helm.