England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Friday confirmed of cutting down 15% salaries of the men cricketer to curb the financial loss. The board has been facing immense losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic as they informed in the first month of the lockdown.
The ECB and the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) have come to an agreement that will be favourable for both the players and the board. As per the agreement, the men cricketers will abide by the 15% pay cut for the 2020-21 season.
Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, the ECB had to furlough 20% of its total workforce implying 62 jobs being lost. And an estimation of £100 million has been reported as the aggregate loss in the 2020 season due to the pandemic.
Last month the ECB had offered the contract roll-over for all the women cricketers for the Hundred tournament. But that was not the same case for the men cricketers as the teams had the choice to retain or let go the players for the tournament next year.
Men cricketers have been generous and sound on the issue as the jointly donated a sum amount of £500,000 to the board for tackling the cause.
“I would like to thank the players and TEPP for their collaboration, which has enabled us to reach this agreement,” Ashley Giles, the England men’s managing director, said.
“The relationship with our men’s players and their representatives (TEPP) is strong, and we need to recognise that our players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, have conducted themselves with great maturity and responsibility throughout this challenging time” he added.
