LONDON: County cricketers will take ‘maximum reductions’ in their salaries during April and May and have agreed to waive one million pounds ($1.25 million) in prize money during the Covid-19 crisis, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) announced on Wednesday.

The county championship, comprising four-day matches, was due to start on Sunday but English cricket is shut down until at least May 28, with the expectation of further postponements.

The PCA on Wednesday welcomed the collective player agreement, which covers an initial period of April and May.

“Discussions between the PCA, ECB [England and Wales Cricket Board] and 18 first-class counties reached a conclusion on Wednesday with all parties supporting an initial two-month agreement that will see maximum reductions to player salaries and relinquishing of domestic prize money,” the PCA said in a statement.

The PCA has relinquished one million pounds of the domestic player prize money for 2020 and players will also agree to be furloughed if asked to by their county.

Champions Essex confirmed that the club’s playing staff, along with most non-playing staff, had been placed on furlough.

A number of other clubs including Yorkshire and Worcestershire had previously confirmed they would be using the government’s job retention scheme.

PCA chairman Daryl Mitchell said: “The coronavirus pandemic will continue to put financial pressure on the game and this initial two-month agreement will support the game for the period of April and May.

“We were due to start the county championship season on Sunday and sadly for us all that will not be the case. As a group of players, we will do everything we can to ensure that when cricket does return the sport is in a position to thrive.

“Like many industries, cricket recognises the challenges it currently faces; the players have been alert to the need for them to play their part.”

Under the agreement, the prize money pot will be used by the ECB to help implement the 2020-2024 County Partnership Agreement by introducing standardised contracts and introducing financial support to players who leave the game.

England’s centrally contracted men’s players have already donated an initial 500,000 pounds to the ECB and selected good causes, while the women players have accepted pay cuts in line with their coaches and support staff.

On Wednesday, wicket-keeper/batsman Jos Buttler raised 65,100 pounds for two hospitals in London by auctioning the shirt he wore in England’s 2019 World Cup final victory over New Zealand at Lord’s.

The ECB last week announced a 61 million pounds aid package in response to the ‘once-in-a-generation’ challenge.

Published in Dawn, April 10th, 2020