England Centrally Contracted Cricketers Agree on Pay Cut Due To COVID-19 Pandemic

The England cricket team on Friday agreed to cut their salaries by 15 per cent as the game’s revenue has been lost during the Coronavirus epidemic. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) says the English game has already lost more than 100 million pounds ($130 million) — a figure that could rise to 200 million pounds next year. ECB gave this information in a statement released on Friday. The governing body said that players contracted with the ECB will receive a one-year cut in ‘retainers, match fees and win bonuses’.

In view of the ECB’s considerable reduction in revenue due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the players’ salary cuts will take place from October 1. England had recently hosted tours of the West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia which were played in the vacant stadium.

Director of men’s cricket Ashley Giles thanked the players and the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) for showing maturity by agreeing to the pay cut.

“The relationship with our men’s players and their representatives (TEPP) is strong, and we need to recognise that our players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, have conducted themselves with great maturity and responsibility throughout this challenging time,” he said.

“We now want to build on this agreement and work together on a number of areas relating to player welfare, particularly mental health, which remains a high priority for all of us, as we continue to navigate a path through this pandemic.”

Richard Bevan, chairman of the TEPP also appreciated the step and said, “These are unprecedented times and once again the players have shown that they fully appreciate the important role they play in helping cricket emerge from this pandemic in as strong a position as possible.”