LONDON: Yorkshire became Monday the first English cricket county to announce they had put their players and coaching staff on the British government’s furlough financial aid scheme.
With the English domestic season delayed until May 28 because of the coronavirus and further postponements likely, talks have been ongoing between the 18 first-class counties and the Professional Cricketers’ Association over questions of pay deferrals and wage cuts. Under the scheme, the British government pays 80 percent of wages up to £2,500 ($3,070) per month.
The PCA had planned to announce a collective response following conference calls over the weekend but Yorkshire, the county of England Test captain Joe Root, broke ranks to say they had decided to opt for the furlough scheme on Friday.
A statement issued Monday said: "The Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s players and cricket staff have been placed on furlough leave until further notice. "This decision comes after the majority of the club’s non-playing staff were placed on furlough leave at the end of March in accordance with the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme. "Following a board meeting on Friday, the club took the decision to furlough all players and coaches. "Each player and member of staff in the cricket department were contacted individually by director of cricket Martyn Moxon on Friday night."
Former Yorkshire and England batsman Moxon, acknowledging there was a "bigger picture than cricket and it is vitally important to stay safe", explained the White Rose county’s action by saying: "From a club point of view, we feel that these measures need to be taken to ensure as little damage as possible to the business.
Spain's Rafael Nadal. — AFP File PARIS: Former world number one Rafael Nadal is unlikely to be seeded at next...
French President Emmanuel Macron shoots to score a goal from the penalty spot in the Varieties Club charity football...
Juventus and Milan face off in fight for second place. — AFP FileMILAN: Juventus v AC Milan is traditionally one of...
Mohsin Naqvi during a meeting in this picture on November 12, 2023. — X/@GovtofPunjabPK LAHORE: In response to the...
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday held a meeting with the New Zealand Cricket Chief...
Pakistan Women's Cricket team skipper Bismah Maroof. — AFP/FileKARACHI: The former Pakistan Women’s skipper Bismah...