PCA PRESS RELEASE
The PCA, Team England and England Women's Player Partnerships provide an update.
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The players recognise the very extraordinary circumstances in which everyone throughout the world has been placed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The players fully support the steps that have been taken to protect everyone’s health, safety and well-being, and they understand that the game, and everyone in it, is impacted.
The PCA is currently involved in a process of collective engagement with the ECB and representatives of the First Class Counties relating to the players employed by these counties. As part of that process, the PCA received a written outline of the impact of Covid-19 on cricket and this has been shared with the Players’ Committee representing the county players.
Also in this process relating to the First Class Counties, the PCA has requested and has been awaiting a collective recommendation from the First Class Counties as to how they propose to deal with employment issues relating to the county players. The PCA received those recommendations late afternoon on Wednesday.
Regarding the England players, both men and women, separate and ongoing discussions are taking place between the ECB and the management boards of both the Team England Player Partnership (TEPP) and the England Women’s Player Partnership (EWPP), which respectively represent these players.
Contrary to media speculation in communication this week, the ECB confirmed to centrally contracted players that there would not be any demands placed on England players to take any wage reductions to their central contracts.
However, the England men’s players through TEPP and the England women’s players through EWPP have been and will continue to be in regular communication with the ECB. They will be discussing all aspects of the game that the ECB and the players are currently facing and most importantly how the players can best support their employers, the game and the country in the short, medium and long term. These issues shall also include the wellbeing of the entire cricket family, the playing of the game and the players’ contracts.
PCA Chairman, Daryl Mitchell, 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.”
England men’s Test captain, Joe Root, said:
“Cricket is so important culturally to our country and, like everyone, we would like to see it return as soon as possible. However, the season should only commence when the expert medical advice says that it is completely safe to do so. The England players fully recognise the serious and concerning times that we are all experiencing at present. 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.”
Captain of the men’s white ball teams, Eoin Morgan, said:
“The fast-moving and fluid evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak has posed challenges that were, until the last few weeks, unimaginable. Beyond the human disruption there will no doubt be long lasting effects on cricket and on society more broadly. The players take our responsibility to the game very seriously, with our primary focus being the health and wellbeing of the country and society as a whole. We will continue to act positively and proactively, supporting the ECB and indeed the entire game.”
England women’s captain, Heather Knight, said:
“The England women players understand that this is a crisis for the game. We are hoping to get back on the field as soon as it is safe to do so but also want to play our part in dealing with the challenges.”
It remains important that everyone in the game works together in order to overcome the challenges presented by this crisis.
