Lancashire is not planning to furlough their players as it would prevent them from having access to staff, helping them prepare for action later this summer.
On Monday, Yorkshire and Worcestershire announced they were furloughing playing and coaching staff under the Government’s coronavirus job retention scheme due to the impact of the pandemic.
On Tuesday, Lancashire stated they had decided not to follow suit.
The hard work doesn't stop for the Lancashire players 💪
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) April 7, 2020
“What has impressed me most is their willingness to get involved and help out in any way they can,” Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott stated of the players.
The lads have been proactive in reaching out to other areas of business and putting time over and above their exercise programs, whether that be making calls to members to check programs’ welfare or having an input into some of the content you will see on social media.
We must consider their mental well-being along with their physical fitness.
We’re lucky to have an extremely experienced sports psychologist in Lee Richardson, who has worked for the club for nearly a decade, who is in contact with all of our professional players.
None of this would be available to the players if they were to be furloughed, and it is our intention not to do so while keeping the situation under review.
“Ultimately, we have to ensure they are as ready as they can be for a cricket season to commence, and we will continue to work towards that objective over the coming weeks and months. All of the measures that the club is adopting and implementing are fully endorsed and appreciated by the PCA.”
County season is currently suspended until at least May 28.