County players have agreed a voluntary “support package” that will set “maximum reductions” to salaries during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Professional Cricketers’ Association - together with the ECB and 18 first-class counties - have reached an initial agreement for April and May.
Players will agree to be furloughed if requested, with county champions Essex among clubs to ask theirs to do so.
They will also take pay cuts, with the PCA giving up £1m in 2020 prize money. Following the PCA’s announcement, Essex - who also won the T20 Blast last year - confirmed they have placed their players and the majority of non-playing staff on temporary leave until further notice.
“The club will operate with reduced staff throughout April, with regular assessments taking place beyond that,” said chief executive Derek Bowden.
“We hope that this will be for as short a period of time as possible and that we can all get back to work and enjoy some cricket in the near future.”
Fellow Championship Division One side Kent have put “the majority” of their players on furlough until at least the start of May, with captain Sam Billings agreeing a pay cut despite remaining on duty to support the club’s community work.
Meanwhile, batsman Joe Denly - on a separate England central contract - will also “continue to support the club”.
“This outcome has not been reached lightly and I want to thank all of our players who are standing shoulder to shoulder with their colleagues during the pandemic,” said Kent director of cricket Paul Downton.
(bbcsport)