Tom Harrison to take temporary 25 per cent pay cut as ECB lowers costs amid coronavirus crisis

The measures come into effect from April 1, with the executive management team and board receiving a salary drop of 20 per cent, with all other employees set to have their pay temporarily cut between 10 and 25 per cent

harrison010401

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison is to take a voluntary 25 per cent reduction in his salary for two months as part of the governing body’s attempts to lower central costs amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The measures will come into effect from April 1, with the executive management team and board receiving a salary drop of 20 per cent, while measures are in place to consult with staff on reducing all employees' salaries for two months.

Proposed cuts will vary according to the employee’s job grade, with all other employees set to have their pay temporarily cut between 10 and 25 per cent.

Some staff will also be asked to consent to furloughing through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme put in place by the government, with the ECB supplementing their pay to ensure that they retain 100 per cent of their reduced salary.

All recruitment will also be frozen for the rest of 2020, with critical posts only filled in the event that an employee leaves the ECB.

“Cricket is facing the biggest challenge it has encountered in the modern era, and I am acutely aware of the hardships many across the cricket family are facing both on a personal and professional level,” Harrison said.

“We are working in partnership with the cricket community to establish how we lead cricket’s response to COVID-19.

“Our three guiding principles remain. Firstly, to ensure people’s safety, including everyone in the cricket family and our own ECB colleagues. Secondly, to protect cricket’s businesses, and the jobs of those who work within the game. And thirdly, to work in partnership through these unprecedented circumstances.”

The news comes 24 hours after the ECB moved to ease the financial burden on the domestic and recreational game by offering an emergency package worth £61 million to help the sport survive the coronavirus outbreak.

harrison010402

Harrison will take a voluntary two-month 25 per cent pay cut

ll levels of the game have been suspended amid a partial lockdown of the country, with the summer schedule set to be heavily affected.

While the ECB are putting together a fixture list in the event that cricket is able to return in the coming months, the governing body are conscious of the damage the delay or even complete cancellation of the campaign will do.

Therefore, funds are being made available to first-class counties and county cricket boards to help ease the burden during this difficult period - with more to come if the crisis continues.

Forty million pounds will be released immediately in the form of early partnership and facilities maintenance payments - an outlay which includes £1.3 million due from The Hundred. For those counties for whom these instalments are not due, £5.5 million will be made available.

Additionally, venues which were due to host international matches in 2020 will have another four months to fulfil the payments. They will be written off entirely if the matches are cancelled.

For the recreational game, around £20m is being provided by the ECB through an interest-free loan scheme and grants via the 'return to cricket' policy. Furthermore, there is a 12-month holiday for loan repayments.

Harrison added: “Yesterday, we rolled out an interim financial package which is fundamental to ensuring the short-term survival of the professional and recreational cricket network. Despite this, the financial situation remains challenging, so our support must be ongoing.

“Today, we have made a difficult but important announcement to cut central costs through a number of measures – all with a desire to protect jobs in the long-term and ensure we are better prepared to weather the storm ahead.

“I am extremely proud of the brilliant and passionate people who work at the ECB and their dedication during this crisis. But the challenge we are facing – not only in our sport but across the whole country – is exceptional and I know most organisations are having to make tough decisions.

“That being said, I am confident that through careful planning and by working together as a sport, we can get through this and see our wonderful sport and its communities thrive again in the very near future.”

stokes010401

Ben Stokes submitted a firm rebuttal on Twitter in response to media reports 

Elsewhere, the Professional Cricketers' Association has issued a statement to confirm that England players – unlike ECB management – would not be asked to forgo any of their central contract payments.

Reports earlier today suggested that initial requests for centrally contracted players to surrender pay as part of cost-cutting measures had not yet been taken up, prompting a strong rebuttal from England allrounder Ben Stokes on social media that was shared by a number of current players.

The PCA statement instead confirms that both England's men's and women's players remain in communication with the ECB “discussing all aspects of the game...and most importantly how the players can best support their employers, the game and the country in the short, medium and long term”.

The association says it has also today received information from the 18 first-class counties regarding how they intend to handle the contracts of their playing staff. Somerset and Sussex have both announced a significant number of furloughs of employment, however so far these announcements have centred around off-field club staff.

Worcestershire's Daryl Mitchell, the PCA's chairman, said: “All the players understand the unprecedented situation the game of cricket currently faces. The priority for us all is the health and wellbeing of our members and the wider public.

“However, we are also aware of the financial implications the coronavirus pandemic is causing and from the outset, the PCA has made it clear that a unified response is preferable. Our members remain committed to reaching a collective and collaborative outcome to support the game for the long-term.”

In the statement, Test captain Joe Root added: “A crisis of this magnitude is a massive test for us all and our thoughts are with everyone that has been affected by the coronavirus. We will be in regular communication with the ECB over the next few weeks and months regarding how we can support the game during these challenging times.”

Comments

LATEST NEWS

STAY UP TO DATE Sign up to our newsletter...
SIGN UP

Thank You! Thank you for subscribing!

Edinburgh House, 170 Kennington Lane, London, SE115DP

website@thecricketer.com

Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.