Surrey has cancelled the contract for Australian seamer Michael Neser, making him the first player to miss out on his overseas offer because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Neser had been expected to play the first half of Surrey’s County Championship campaign, but with the English season postponed at least until May 28 and perhaps beyond and Australia imposing an indefinite travel ban on its residents, it was mutually decided that his contract would be voided.
Neser is likely to be the first of many international players to have their aspirations of a summer play in England ruined, with many counties feeling the financial pressure of the delay before the season starts.
Many counties have already furloughed their players, and most of them are likely to take advantage at some point of the government’s work retention scheme. It remains possible that certain tournaments will be conducted without any participants from abroad, depending in part on the extent of international travel restrictions.
“In view of the tough times we are in, I would like to thank Michael Neser and his management team for their complete appreciation of the current situation and their absolute compliance with this decision,” said Alec Stewart, Surrey’s cricket director.
“The wider issues the sport is facing is paramount and it was refreshing to know Michael and his representatives are looking at the bigger picture in this sensible and responsible way” added Alec Stewart.
Future of IPL 2020 Lurks In Darkness:
Owing to the lockdown and the critical situation caused due to coronavirus pandemic, all cricket leagues have been postponed indefinitely. The 13th edition of IPL 2020 tournament was pushed to 15th April. However, BCCI Chief in a recent media statement said, even if the tournament would take place, it would be a truncated affair. Last week, BCCI had held a meeting, and are planning to conduct the IPL 2020 tournament between October or November. There has been rumours doing round the corner, that even if the curbs are lifted most likely IPL 2020 would be cancelled.
