Cricket news round-up – March 31: Lancashire Chairman dies after contracting coronavirus

David Hodgkiss, Lancashire chairman died after contracting coronavirus. Australia Cricketers would be ready for pay cuts, said Tim Paine. The Hundred ticket sale got delayed due to the pandemic.

Lancashire chairman dies of coronavirus

The Lancashire chairman, David Hodgkiss died after contracting coronavirus. The 71-year-old was a part of Emirate Old Trafford for 22 years. In 2017, Hodgkiss took the charge from Michael Cairns to become the chairman and became the central figure of the renovation of Old Trafford.

A club statement on Monday read, “Further to the announcement from his family, it is with great sadness that Lancashire Cricket announces the passing of its Chairman, David Hodgkiss OBE,” read a club statement on Monday morning. David served the club with distinction over many years including holding the offices of treasurer, vice-chairman and latterly chairman.”

Colin Graves, the ECB chairman, said, “He played an integral role in the redevelopment of Emirates Old Trafford and Its status as a leading international ground is a testament to his hard work and dedication.”

PCA to discuss pay cuts with ECB cricketers

In the wake of the pandemic worldwide, the England and Wales cricketers may face pay cuts and the PCA chief Tony Irish is looking for a collective decision. Later this week the ECB is expected to out a series of proposals to the Professional Cricketers’ Association and the counties regarding the same. The PCA chairman Tony Irish said, “We are aware that COVID-19 is having a very significant impact on cricket and that solutions need to be found for the challenges that we all face.”

Irish hoped, “We believe that solutions should be sought, and where possible agreed, collectively. We understand that recommendations or proposals will be put to us during this week. We will work through those with the players and then with the ECB and the first-class counties with a view to seeking agreed solutions.”

Joe Root spoke about the same, “I’m sure at some point in the coming weeks there will be a discussion. That’ll probably take place between the PCA and the ECB, and until those happen, that’s not my area of expertise. I think we just have to concentrate on making sure we are as fit and as ready to go as we can be for whenever it is we get back to playing cricket.”

Tim Paine ready for pay cuts

After Cricket Australia decided to delay the announcement of players’ contract list, now there is a chance of less payment due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Tim Paine, the captain of the Australia cricket team said that his men are fully aware of the same and ready to understand and accept the situation.

“There’s obviously the delay in our list announcement if you like. Certainly if things happen similar to what’s happened to football and other sports, then we’ve certainly got to do our bit to make sure the game survives and remains really healthy for years to come.”

He further spoke about players’ perspectives, “If it comes to that, I’m sure that’s something that the players will look at. But there are bigger issues going on around the world at the moment than how much our sportsmen are going to get paid. That’ll be a small thing to us if that was to happen.”

The Hundred ticket sale delayed

The tickets of The Hundred wee scheduled to be available for sale on April 8. But the ECB announced to delay the next two ticket windows with the coronavirus situation getting worse day by day globally. According to the managing director of the competition, it would be inappropriate to promote and sell tickets in the current scenario.

Sanjay Patel said, “We appreciate this may cause some disappointment to fans that were keen to purchase tickets in the April sales window, accessing early bird prices and securing tickets to the most in-demand games.”

He further informed, “When it is appropriate to go back on sale, we will of course offer the same ticket offers and accessible pricing. Like the rest of the nation, we all hope that it is not far away before cricket returns to our screens, stadiums, parks and clubs.”