The England and Wales Cricket Board has offered central contracts to national team members for Tests and While Ball cricket. However, the threat of salary cuts looms large on players if cricket is disrupted further in England dud to the Sars Cov-2 virus.
ECB and players representatives are reportedly engaged in negotiations over pay cuts. The players have reportedly been warned that further cuts to their annual pay could be made if the situation deteriorates further.
The ECB has already cut 62 jobs in its total staff strength to overcome the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Chief Executive Tom Harrison and Managing Director of England men’s cricket Ashley Giles are among the ECB staff who have taken salary cuts.
The ECB has successfully hosted the West Indies, Pakistan and Australia amidst the COVID-19 threat. The England team is now scheduled to tour South Africa, India and Sri Lanka.
Board of Control for Cricket in India president Sourav Ganguly has said that the BCCI will try to host England in India. However, the possibility of the series being played in the UAE cannot be ruled out. The BCCI has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Emirates Cricket Board, which is presently also facilitating the conduct of the Indian Premier League in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Giles, meanwhile, has said that the players should be flexible to accommodate further cuts if the future events are cancelled.
“If there is no income, they(contracts) are not worth the paper they’re written on,” former England cricketer has told reporters. “These are also employment contracts and we want to give our players a level of security and care.
“None of us know what is ahead of us over the next couple of months, the next couple of weeks in fact so that element of being flexible and adaptable is really important The players are at the pointy end of everything we do and this year they probably appreciate it more than at any other time.
“They’re mature and realistic about what is going on and the revenues are likely to be less in the future and that has an impact on everyone.”
ECB has offered 24 Test and While Ball contracts besides four Incremental and three Fast Bowling contracts for the 2020-21 season.
ECB has feared to lose £200 million due to the COVID-19 impact on the economy.