PCA PRESS RELEASE
Chief Executive Tony Irish has provided an update from the PCA.
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The Professional Cricketers’ Association today responded to the ECB decision not to play any professional cricket until 28th May 2020 as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
The PCA was part of a working group with the ECB and the counties in making this recommendation, which was subsequently approved by the ECB board.
PCA Chief Executive, Tony Irish, said:
“These are unprecedented times which require the right decisions to be made for all, including everyone working, and involved, in cricket. The PCA supports this decision to delay the start of the season based on expert advice relating to health and wellbeing and taking into account the government’s position.
“The decision has at least given clarity to players following a week of uncertainty about whether or not they will be playing over the coming weeks. All players are in this together and as their players’ association we now need to work for the players collectively in dealing with the ECB and the first-class counties to find solutions to the challenges ahead.
“Naturally, players have concerns around when they will be able to start playing again, about what the schedule will look like when cricket resumes and about employment security around their contracts. The PCA will represent them in dealing with these issues with the ECB and the counties and seek the right solutions and ones that are acceptable to the players.
“It is extremely important that the PCA is there to support all of our players and we will continue do that through our dedicated player services team. The welfare of our members is critical at times like this. We also continue to remind our all our members to be guided by medical and government advice relating to their health and that of others.
“To support players who are following the social distancing advice, our team of Personal Development Managers have created a ‘Social Isolation Guide’ which signposts members to useful resources and which is available on the PCA website.
“The PCA’s 24-hour Confidential Helpline is there to deal with any player mental health issue through our provider, Sporting Chance.
“It is a time for players, men and women and at all levels, to stand together and to support each other and we are confident that our players in England and Wales will do just that.”
