England Cricketers Join Hands To Fight Against Coronavirus Pandemic:
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, England’s centrally licensed players, both men, and women have decided to give back a portion of their salaries for the next three months.
The centrally contracted men’s players would contribute GBP 500,000 to the ECB and selected good causes, the equivalent of 20% in pay for the next three months. The players will determine which charities will benefit in the coming week. The centrally contracted women’s players have also decided to take a pay cut in line with their coaches and support staff for April, May, and June.
England’s women’s captain, Heather Knight, said: “All players agreed that taking a pay cut in line with what our support staff is taking was the right response in the current situation. We know how the current situation affects the game and we want to help as much as we can. We’ll explore with the ECB more ways we can help the game in the coming weeks.”
The ECB announced earlier this week that it would put a number of non-playing workers on furlough, meaning that the government would pay up to GBP 2,500 a month for 80 percent of their salaries. The ECB announced that they would pay the extra 20 per cent so staff would not miss out. Senior management team members of the ECB have also taken salary cuts, with Chief Executive Tom Harrison taking a reduction of 25 percent.
England’s centrally contracted players have had a number of conversations this week over their own response to the pandemic after Harrison indicated at a press conference on Tuesday that the ECB wouldn’t request the players to take a pay cut.
The players themselves have now made the decision to voluntarily contribute a part of their salaries. A call between all England players on Friday morning (April 3) confirmed the details of the donations revealed by the Professional Cricketers ‘Association later that afternoon.
