ECB to pump in $75.5 million in last gasp effort to stop English cricket from sinking

coronavirus pandemic has disrupted world and has brought an end to all sporting activities at moment. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) anunced a $75.5 million (£61 million) aid pack in response to coronavirus crisis in UK on Tuesday.

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This is a once-in-a-generation scenario: ECB CEO Tom Harrison

Around $50 million (£40 million) will be me available immediately to 18 first-class counties and ir boards as well as MCC. y will each receive a share of some in ir respective bank accounts on Wednesday, with a furr $25.5 million (£20 million) available in interest-free loans and grants.

ECB CEO Tom Harrison in a conference call said that it's exaggeration to say that this is biggest challenge ECB have faced in history of game and  modern era certainly. He ded that ECB won't kw full impact for a few months but y are trying to work around clock to understand that impact and take some measures to help counties and clubs to get through immediate impact. Harrison said that this was a once-in-a-generation scenario and preparations for it are extremely difficult.

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All forms of cricket have been postponed in England until May 28 which has raised questions over future of several competitions including  new Hundred tournament, as well as tours by Australia, West Indies, Pakistan and Ireland. Harrison furr said that ECB didn't want to make a decision too early as re were a number of scenarios. He ded that re were huge implications in bringing international players and teams to England.

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Meanwhile, Harison said that ECB didn't plan on cutting down salaries of centrally contracted England players. But Harrison, who earns an annual salary of approximately £720,000 ($892,000), said he would join rest of  ministrators from or sports by taking a w reduction. He me it clear that ECB will prioritize only lucrative tournaments like internationals, Twenty20 Blast and inaugural Hundred.

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IM COURTESY: ECB.CO.UK