England cricketers volunteer pay-cuts to contribute for COVID-19 affected

England cricketers, both men and women, have volunteered play-cuts to contribute for the ones affected in the coronavirus pandemic. They have donated 500,000 pounds to help out the needy in the critical situation. The coronavirus cases in the United Kingdom (UK) has escalated at a brisk rate and has gone over 38,000 with the death toll in excess of 3,600.

The players have taken the step after the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) proposed a 20 per cent pay-cut from the salaries. The ECB was awaiting a response from the representatives at the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

Precise donation from England players to be decided over a week

“Following a meeting of all of the England men’s centrally contracted cricketers, the players have agreed to make an initial donation of £0.5m to the ECB and to selected good causes,” a statement from the players read, reported by Deccan Chronicle.

The 20 per cent pay reduction is equivalent to the donation from the men’s cricketers even as the women’s players cut pays from their April, May and June salaries.

“The precise details of the charitable donation will be decided over the next week by the players. This contribution is the equivalent of all of the England centrally contracted players taking a 20% reduction in their monthly retainers for the next three months,” the statement added.

The cricketers said that they would be discussing the situation with the ECB. They also stated that they would be helping out the board in any way possible to restore the sanity of the sport in the UK. Of late, a number of players have even come forward personally.

Jos Buttler is busy auctioning off his prestigious 2019 World Cup jersey. Heather Knight, the England Women’s skipper, on the other hand, has joined the National Health Service (NHS) as a volunteer.

Even Eoin Morgan, the men’s ODI and T20I skipper, mentioned that he would be assisting the ECB in scheduling the games, which have been postponed due to the pandemic. It has also been learned that the Brits are ready to field two separate teams on the same date.

Due to the novel virus, the ECB earlier said that cricket in the UK would stay halted until May 28. The Three Lions’ away Test series against Sri Lanka in March also had to be postponed.