Bray hit a century against Zimbabwe during the World Cup

Batsman Jeremy Bray says it costs him money to play for Ireland and captain Trent Johnston feels it is impossible to compete against top sides.

Chief executive Warren Deutrom said the Irish Cricket Union wanted to pay the players but said patience was needed.

"We can't complete the contracts until we know we are able to satisfy what they are requesting," he said.

"We can't do that until we know how much of a budget we have, and we won't know that until this current series of games is completed. It's a vicious circle."

Ireland, who beat Pakistan and Bangladesh at the World Cup, have had to field inexperienced sides in the losses against India and South Africa during the tournament in Belfast.

Boyd Rankin, Dave Langford-Smith and Andre Botha are all injured while Eoin Morgan opted to stay with Middlesex and opener Bray asked not to be considered for financial reasons.

I know there's a significant degree of frustration among the players, and I completely understand that Warren Deutrom

Ireland have completed their matches in the series but South Africa and India are due to play three one-day internationals, on 26 June, 29 June and 1 July.

Deutrom said the union was seeking another meeting with the players and management to discuss the issue further.

"Do we want to be able to pay the players? Absolutely, of course we do, and it's the fundamental route to success," he added.

"I know there's a significant degree of frustration among the players, and I completely understand that. We have met with the players on a number of occasions, and will continue to do so.

"Hopefully, we'll be able to get the key stakeholders in both the players and management together, to make sure that we address the issues as far as getting us to the end of the season is concerned, and then moving forward how we need to organise ourselves and operate hopefully as a professional body."