ECB to cut 62 jobs as cricket reacts to the cost of coronavirus

The ECB have announced that 62 people will lose their jobs at cricket’s governing body, as the game deals with the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, estimated to be £200million.

Chief executive Tom Harrison said cricket is “facing its most significant challenge of the modern era” in a statement today.

Harrison added that the ECB are “taking steps now to ensure the future financial sustainability of cricket in England and Wales”, which means they will need to become “leaner and more agile”.

That involves a 20 per cent reduction in the workforce budget, which includes making 62 roles redundant, for which a consultation process has begun. A number of other posts will be made into “flexible roles”.

“The game has already lost more than £100m, and the financial impact is likely to be £200m if there is further disruption next year, which many are expecting,” said Harrison.

It is unclear what the impact will be on the England’s men’s teams, with their next round of contracts currently being negotiated.

The Hundred is another area where costs will be cut, but the ECB did announce today that players in the women’s competition have been offered a rollover of this year’s contracts, while it is likely the men will see a reduction of 20 per cent.