Lancashire forced to axe trio as staff agree 20 per cent pay cut

Lancashire CCC have terminated the contracts of overseas trio BJ Watling, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner for the 2020 campaign as a result of the delay to the cricket season caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
New Zealand's BJ WatlingNew Zealand's BJ Watling
New Zealand's BJ Watling

In addition, the club has also agreed with all staff a 20% salary reduction in May, unanimously agreed to by the Lancashire players.

The pay cut has been agreed by the playing squad following a number of conversations between Lancashire Cricket and several of its senior players.

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New Zealand wicket keeper batsman BJ Watling was signed for the opening nine County Championship games, whilst Maxwell and Faulkner would have played for Lancashire Lightning in the T20 Blast, having both featured in last season’s competition for the Red Rose.

James Faulkner in action for Lancashire LightningJames Faulkner in action for Lancashire Lightning
James Faulkner in action for Lancashire Lightning

However, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and given the cancellation of all fixtures until May 28, Lancashire’s director of cricket Paul Allott has contacted all three players and representatives over the last two weeks and having explained the situation, it was mutually agreed that all three contracts for the 2020 season would be cancelled.

Allott, said: “I would like to thank BJ, Glenn, James and their representatives for their total understanding of the current situation and full agreement of this decision.

“These are clearly very uncertain and challenging times for all counties both financially and operationally and it’s clear the issues we face at the moment will have an impact on the way we prepare for the domestic season.

The overseas player situation is a policy that has been discussed nationwide and we think it’s prudent to mutually come to an agreement with the players we had originally signed.”