'brinkmanship, n, art and practice of pursuing a dangerous policy to the limit of safety.'

That's the educational lesson for today for the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association as they ponder the 4pm deadline in which to respond to New Zealand Cricket's pay offer.

More than brinkmanship, it has become an issue of credibility for the entire concept of a players' association in the game of cricket in this country.

Normally, on a subject like this there would be claims of the country being split down the middle on the issue.

That has never been the case in this stand-off.

It is a clear case of the cricketers being in one camp, and the rest of the country in the other.

It is difficult to recall an issue that has seen a mobilisation of public support behind an employer as has occurred in this case.

From the outset the Players' Association have missed out in the public relations stakes. Apart from the blatant grandstanding nature of their claim, the offensive they have mounted against New Zealand Cricket smacks of sheer opportunism, and to Hell with the consequences.

It is interesting that a chapter in Chris Cairns' recently-released book, under the heading 'Sour Times' makes the comment: "The story of the last two decades of New Zealand cricket has one constant. Every time a sense of camaraderie has been built, every time team spirit begins to rise and bonds are formed within the squad, something has always come along and rent the team apart."

How appropriately timed!

That is the fate of the game once, as expected, 4pm rolls around today with the players not responding to New Zealand Cricket's claim.

Players' Association advocate Rob Nichol may be right in his claim that the players are behind him 100% in their solidarity.

If they are, then their battle plan is out of the Balaclava, Gallipoli and Passchendaele book of disasters.

While the long-term results of those military mishaps were the loss of a generation, so too the chance that this will be exactly what happens to New Zealand cricket.

That would be a shame for a sport which is only now getting over the ructions from 1992 and 1995 that almost ripped the heart out of the game here.

But as the players who went through that era will know, the game did survive. There will be tough times again. But there is likely to be a great deal more sympathy as New Zealand attempts to rebuild after this latest episode with new players than was the case for earlier teams trying to establish themselves.

For that is what lies ahead of the game now. The general public see a fair wage offer on the table, and look at ordinary results, especially in the money-making one-day game. Is it little wonder that the players' stance has developed so little support.

The bells toll for 4pm.

DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed herewith are not necessarily those of New Zealand Cricket.

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