London, Apr 4 (UNI) The centrally contracted male and female players in England have
opted to take a pay cut during the current global crisis, which has brought cricket to a
standstill.
With the COVID-19 pandemic threatening to sabotage the entire cricket season in
England, centrally contracted players have opted to take a pay cut to help out with
the load that the enforced break may put on the finances of the game in the country.
The male cricketers are set to make a donation of GBP 500,000 to their employers
and selected charitable causes, while the female players have opted for a three-month
pay reduction.
“All the players felt like it was the right response in the current climate to take a pay
cut in line with what our support staff are taking," said England women's captain
Heather Knight.
"We know how the current situation is affecting the game and we want to help as
much as we can. We will be discussing with the ECB further ways we can help the
game in the coming weeks," she added.
So far, individually, England's players have been doing their bit to support those in
the frontlines of the battle against the virus, an ICC report on Saturday said.
Knight, who led England to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup semi-final last month,
has paired up with the NHS as a volunteer, as has Sophia Dunkley.
Jos Buttler is auctionion the jersey that he wore during England's victory in the ICC
Men's Cricket World Cup 2019 final against New Zealand.
UNI XC-BM