In response to the financial crisis engulfing the game as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, England’s centrally contracted cricketers have decided to make an “initial donation” of 500,000 pounds (US$ 612,000).
The statement released by the Professional Cricketers ‘Association, the players’ union, came on Friday just a couple of days after England and Wales Cricket Board said that chief executive Tom Harrison had agreed to take a 25 percent pay cut.
Tuesday, in response to the spread of COVID-19, Harrison unveiled the ECB’s 61 million pounds (USD 76 million) aid package, which delayed the start of the English season until May 28 and raised concerns about the future of lucrative incoming West Indies, Pakistan and Australia tours.
But with the ECB placing some administrative staff on the reduced pay work retention furlough scheme of the British government, concerns were raised on whether the likes of Test Captain Joe Root and the all-rounder Ben Stokes, who receive approximately 1 million pounds a year from the ECB as a star player in red and white ball cricket should also consider a salary cut.
World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, asked Wednesday if he would accept a pay cut, said, “I’m extremely willing to help where I know it will make a difference…I’m open to absolutely everything.”