Australia's cricketers are facing the prospect of six month bans from Cricket Australia, as the pay dispute between the ACA and the CA continue.
The current Memorandum of Understanding expires on July 1, meaning players will be out of contract and unpaid.
It has emerged that any players who play "disapproved cricket" from when the MOU expires, will face a six month ban.
ESPN Cricinfo reports Cricket Australia's high performance manager, Pat Howard, sent an email to the Australian Cricketers Association and to the state associations on Wednesday night, reminding the players that the ICC regulations state that bans of at least six months apply for any players that take part in matches not staged under the guidance of national boards.
This would include any exhibition matches or domestic T20 competitions in other countries, such as the South African T20 tournament, that Australian players had been planning on taking part in later this year.
"Players (including uncontracted players) cannot play in ICC approved cricket (e.g. domestic T20 competitions operated by overseas cricket boards) without approval from Cricket Australia," Howard wrote.
"Players who participate in disapproved cricket (e.g. exhibition matches) are not permitted to participate in ICC approved cricket for a minimum of six months thereafter."
The players are also unable to sign deals with sponsors which directly compete with Cricket Australia, or also risk being locked out of playing for Australia.
"All players will be provided with a list of protected sponsors for 2017/18," Howard wrote.
"Any player entering into unapproved endorsements during any uncontracted period puts at risk future endorsement arrangements with CA, State and W/BBL partners and puts you at risk of not being able to enter into a contract for the upcoming season with CA, the State or W/BBL Team."
Australia A's upcoming tour of South Africa and the Australian Test team's tour of Bangladesh are also in jeopardy.
