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Cricket Australia downsizes majority of staff amid coronavirus crisis

MELBOURNE: Zero tournaments in the recent months has forced Cricket Australia (CA) to lay off its staff until the end of the financial year in order to stabilize the department amid coronavirus crises.

We have made the decision during this period of isolation, where activity has naturally been reduced, to stand down our people on reduced pay (with the exception of a skeleton staff) effective 27 April for the remainder of the financial year,” the Australian cricket body said in a statement.

“We will continue to seek advice from medical experts and relevant government agencies to ensure the health and safety of our people, volunteers, and communities, and to return to business as soon as possible,” it added.

Earlier: COVID-19 makes domestic cricketers worried about their future

Like many other states, Pakistan has also been the victim of coronavirus and has been in the state of lockdown since dozens of positive tests. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) event was also cancelled as the cricket board did not want to risk lives of players.

Since PSL is said to be the golden chance for domestic cricketers to showcase their talent and earn a place in the national team, hopes of many players were tied with this year’s season of the cricket league. Unfortunately, the players have now started to worry about their future as they are being unable to provide for their families in this lockdown situation. Empty grounds are hinting towards their dark future.

Coronavirus outbreak in the country has forced the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to either cancel or postpone the tournaments. On the other side, the new system of domestic cricket introduced by the board had already left many cricketers unemployed. And those who succeeded in getting a domestic contract were now worried about their salaries and incentives.

PCB had earlier announced that it was cancelling the Pakistan One-Day Cup due to the COVID-19 outbreak. It impacted players from all categories and now it is being feared that the National T20 Cup is also likely to be called off.

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M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.