Paceman says players will not be distracted by pay talks during Champions Trophy
Cricket pay dispute no distraction: Starc
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc says cricket's pay dispute will not be a distraction for Australia at next month's Champions Trophy in England and Wales.
The Australian team leaves next week for the near month-long campaign with no end in sight to the dispute over a new pay deal.
Governing body Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers' Association were set to resume talks this week.
The current memorandum of understanding between CA and the players is due to expire on June 30.
Starc insists the standoff was the furthest thing on players' minds ahead of the Champions Trophy.
"It's not a distraction at all. That's what the ACA is there for," Starc said. "We have full confidence in them.
"We are in discussions with them (ACA) from time to time at different stages.
"We are just getting ready for the Champions Trophy."
Starc would not bite when quizzed about a Fairfax report that claimed he was among five top players approached by CA's Pat Howard with a multi-year deal on the condition they sit out the Indian Premier League.
The report claimed Howard made verbal offers to Starc, captain Steve Smith, vice-captain David Warner and quicks Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood of a three year deal - not the standard 12 month contract - on the condition they forgo the lucrative IPL.
It came after the CA board reportedly discussed last week the introduction of financial compensation for players who sit out the IPL.
Starc opted not to play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year's IPL in order to rest before the Champions Trophy.
Asked if he had been offered a three-year deal to skip the IPL, Starc said: "That's what they said in the papers."
When pressed on whether a multi-year deal to skip the IPL appealed, Starc said: "It's between the ACA and CA to come up with an MOU.
"I think we will talk about contracts once that is done."
Australia will play warm-up matches against Sri Lanka (May 26) and Pakistan (May 29) before launching their Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand on June 2.