Counties could be forced to axe their overseas signings as a cost-cutting measure as cricket in England faces up to the enormous financial losses the suspension of the season will bring, according to a report in The Telegraph.
The start of the season has been deferred until May 28 at the earliest, and counties will be forced to make tough decisions to stay afloat during a trying time financially.
Pay cuts for players and the deferring of the first season of The Hundred to 2021 have reportedly been discussed, while many counties are considering furloughing their playing staff so they can recoup up to 80 per cent of their salaries through a recently announced government scheme.
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The cancelling of overseas contracts is one of the first moves counties may take, with overseas players not relying on the payments as a primary source of income, and doubt remaining over whether players from abroad will be able to travel, even if some cricket is able to take place in England.
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According to the report, deferring The Hundred would save the ECB £40million in marketing spend, while cutting overseas players would save each county between £100,000 and £200,000.
