“English Players Must Realize The Bigger Picture”
The economic impact of the widespread coronavirus on sports seems to have begun showing. According to English media, the players of the England cricket team might suffer cuts in their pay due to the disruption of cricket action by the coronavirus.
The Times newspaper reported that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) told cricket players must realize the bigger picture and expect pay cuts as it is trying to cope with the financial impact of the corona crisis on the game.
The deadly coronavirus, which has brought the world, especially the field of sports to a standstill, has infected nearly 662,700 people across the globe and has killed 30,751 until now.
“We’re looking at everything about how the game can make savings,” an ECB spokesperson was quoted as saying by The Times.
“There’s a formal process to go through with centrally contracted players, but the game needs to pull together at this time. We believe the players realize the bigger picture.”
England’s tour of Sri Lanka, where a two-match Test series was held, was postponed a few days back, and the English players were flown back to their country.
“No Cricket Until May Ending”
The board also announced that any professional cricket would be not be played until May end. The Test series against West Indies and Pakistan when the two teams tour England and limited-overs cricket against Australia, which are scheduled to happen between June and August, are also facing the risk of getting canceled due to the corona threat which might lead to further loss of revenue.
English centrally contracted players who are paid entirely by the ECB have awarded 10 Test contracts and 12 white ball contracts last September.
The Times also reported top players such as Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Jos Buttler — who play for England in all three formats — would be expected to take pay cuts of about £200,000 ($249,040) because of the three-month shutdown.
