Yorkshire County Cricket Club have become the first English county to furlough their players and cricket staff in response to the coronavirus crisis. With the domestic season delayed until May 28 at present - and the expectation of further such postponements - discussions over pay reductions, deferrals and furlough options have been ongoing for some time with the 18 first-class counties and the Professional Cricketers' Association. England Test captain Joe Root, batsman Jonny Bairstow and spinner Adil Rashid are not affected by the news as they are centrally contracted by the ECB, but there are a series of high-profile players involved. Director of cricket Martyn Moxon, who contacted squad members individually to relay the news, said: "From a club point of view, we feel that these measures need to be taken to ensure as little damage as possible to the business.”
Brian Sturgess
