Kent Cricket have confirmed that the majority of its playing staff will be placed on furlough leave, effective from Thursday 9th April.
The announcement follows extensive discussions between first class counties, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA). The status will be reviewed on a regular basis from the beginning of May.
The Club has already announced a number of financial measures to help navigate through this difficult period. These include the furloughing of the majority of non-playing staff and all Executive Directors voluntarily agreeing to take a temporary 20% pay cut.
After a number of discussions with the players in recent days, Kent Cricket’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton and Chief Executive, Simon Storey held a conference call with all players when it was agreed to extend the Government’s Job Retention Scheme to the majority of the playing staff.
The game-wide agreement between the PCA and ECB, which Kent Cricket have implemented locally, is the equivalent of Kent players taking a 20% reduction in their remuneration whilst they are on furlough leave.
Club Captain, Sam Billings, remains non-furloughed to support the Club’s efforts in the community but has agreed a reduction in remuneration, in line with all other players in the Kent squad.
Joe Denly, covered under an England Central Contract, where a separate agreement between the player, ECB and the PCA is already in place, will also continue to support the Club at this time.
Director of Cricket Paul Downton said: “Cricket is of course of secondary importance during these unprecedented times.
“The priority of everyone at the Club is the safety and security of the entire Kent Cricket family including players.
“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.
“We will continue to monitor this situation closely. As and when we have clarification on what the season will look like, we will ensure that players are ready to return when it is safe to do so.”
Discussions between the PCA, ECB and 18 first-class counties reached a conclusion today with all parties supporting an initial two-month agreement that will see maximum reductions to player salaries and relinquishing of domestic prize money.
The agreement for an initial period of April and May will see players agree to being furloughed by their county, if requested, and also taking a reduction in their remuneration in order to be consistent with reductions that have been made to other non-playing staff at their county.
The PCA have relinquished £1 million of the domestic player prize money for 2020 with the ECB reallocating this towards assisting first-class counties in the implementation of the new 2020-2024 County Partnership Agreement. The reallocated funds will support the introduction of standardised player contracts across the game, in turn providing vital financial support to players who leave the game in 2020 and beyond.
PCA Chairman, Daryl Mitchell, said:
“I am pleased we have reached a collective agreement between the PCA, ECB and the 18 first-class counties and I thank all parties for the collaborative spirit of these discussions particularly at this most challenging of times.
“The understanding from our players and the willingness to help has been particularly heartening. Like many industries, cricket recognises the challenges it currently faces; the players have been alert to the need for them to play their part.
“The support I have had from the PCA Players’ Committee and many senior players around the counties has been outstanding, without them a collective agreement could not have been reached. As a group we have been in constant dialogue to ensure we are supporting the interests of all professional players in England and Wales while doing the right thing for the game.
“The Coronavirus pandemic will continue to put financial pressure on the game and this initial two-month agreement will support the game for the period of April and May.
“We were due to start the County Championship season on Sunday and sadly for us all that will not be the case. As a group of players, we will do everything we can to ensure that when cricket does return the sport is in a position to thrive.
“This prolonged period of isolation is challenging and the PCA remains committed to helping all our members through these times with our world class welfare provisions.
“I also want to urge everybody once again to stay at home. With a four-day Easter weekend ahead of us it is vital we follow the government’s advice to protect the country.”
The collective agreement for county professionals follows England men’s players, through the Team England Player Partnership, donating an initial £500,000 to the ECB and selected good causes and England women’s players, through England Women’s Player Partnership, volunteering a salary reduction in line with their coaches and support staff.