England players agree for paycut

England's centrally contracted cricketers on Friday (April 3) agreed to donate a portion of their salaries for the months of April, May and June to the ECB and "selected good causes" in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that England Cricket Board (ECB) would not ask it's players to take a pay cut, but under the current circumstances, it seems the players themselves have agreed to contribute to the greater good. While the men will be donating a total of 500,000 GBP - the equivalent of a 20% pay cut over the next three months - the women have agreed to a cut in line with the coaches and other support staff.

“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," Heather Knight, England women's skipper said. "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.”

This announcement from the players comes at a time when the ECB have already furloughed many of their non-playing staff. Even senior members of the staff, including Tom Harrison, the chief executive, have taken 25% pay cuts.