Following in the footsteps of several major sports bodies across the world, USA Cricket is set to implement massive pay cuts, to the tune of at least 50 per cent, on its contracted players, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report on Cricbuzz.

USA’s players are currently contracted until the end of July, having entered into such an agreement for the first time in their history, when the board introduced contracts last year.

The cuts come in the wake of a postponement of a home tri-series against UAE and Scotland, which was due to take place in the first week of April. USA’s tour of Netherlands in June is also in jeopardy, as several parts of the world continue to be in lockdown, bringing a standstill to sports events. Cricket leagues across the country have also been suspended for the time being.

North America’s National Basketball Association suspended its season midway, while the 2020 National Football League draft will take place virtually.

USA is among the worst-hit countries by the pandemic, with a death toll of over 10,000, with the state of New York the worst affected among them, having recorded over 3500 deaths itself.