London

Players with contracts from the England and Wales Cricket Board will get reduced income in "retainers, match fees and win bonuses" for one year, the governing body said in a statement.

The pay cut backdated to October 1 was "in view of the substantial shortfall in the ECB's revenue as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic." England recently hosted tours by the West Indies, Pakistan, Ireland and Australia, playing in mostly empty stadiums. "We need to recognize that our players, led by captains Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, have conducted themselves with great maturity and responsibility throughout this challenging time," team director Ashley Giles said.

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