‘It would be wrong that the players stay on a similar pay’ – Stuart Broad on potential pay cuts amid COVID-19 pandemic

England fast bowler Stuart Broad reckons that it would be unfair if the players stay on the same pay at a time when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is undergoing a financial crisis. Back in July, England became the first country to resume international cricket, hosting Ireland, West Indies and Pakistan for full-fledged Tests, ODIs and T20I series.

Despite cricket being played, the ECB estimated an initial loss of 100 million pounds (USD 127 million) due to the restrictions imposed, keeping in mind the COVID-19 pandemic. The value of contracts has also been reduced as the players get prepared for pay cuts.

“I think 100 per cent there’ll be pay cuts. The players are very aware of the situation. With the ECB having to potentially lose 60-odd staff, it would be wrong that the players stay on a similar pay. I’ve not heard any official sort of numbers,” Broad was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

At the end of the day we’re just lucky, says Stuart Broad

“The players are very open to that sort of thing. I don’t think you’ll be getting any players complaining about taking more pay cuts because it’s sort of in line with the world, isn’t it?

Broad stated that England are lucky to play the sport in the grave global scenario and are ready to contribute in whatever way possible.

“It would be a really average feeling to have that we were not making sacrifices like the rest of the world. So, I don’t think you’ll get too many people complaining of whatever comes our way.

“At the end of the day we’re just lucky and fortunate that we got some cricket in this summer to get the ECB in a position that it can keep supporting the whole of cricket in the future,” he added.

Apart from cricket at the highest level, domestic cricket also resumed in the country. Essex won the Bob Willis Trophy after drawing their final against Somerset at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. The T20 Blast also resumed, but the inaugural edition of The Hundred had to be postponed until 2021. A few of the English players are now busy playing in the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL).